Correlation between cervical spine and temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

Neuroanatomical interconnections and neurophysiological relationships between the orofacial area and the cervical spine have been documented earlier. The present single-blind study was aimed at screening possible correlations between clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and cervical spine disorders. Thirty-one consecutive patients with symptoms of TMD and 30 controls underwent a standardised clinical examination of the masticatory system, evaluating range of motion of the mandible, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and pain of the TMJ and masticatory muscles. Afterwards subjects were referred for clinical examination of the cervical spine, evaluating segmental limitations, tender points upon palpation of the muscles, hyperalgesia and hypermobility. The results indicated that segmental limitations (especially at the C0-C3 levels) and tender points (especially in the m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. trapezius) are significantly more present in patients than in controls. Hyperalgesia was present only in the patient group (12-16%).

Cervical spine dysfunction signs and symptoms in individuals with temporomandibular disorder

“…A positive association between painful symptoms in the cervical region and the presence of TMD was previously described (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)10) suggesting that subjects with this disorder have twice the risk of being affected by cervical pain (2) . CCD was present in 100% of subjects of both groups, however, it was symptomatic in 88.24% of G1 and in 51.35% of G2.…”

“…In the literature, a greater prevalence of CCD has also been observed in patients with TMD, regardless the nature of the disorder (8,10) .…”

“…It is represented by a group of signs and symptoms that involve pain and limitation of range of the physiological movements, tenderness and/or pain on cervical muscles at palpation, besides the presence of articular noises and important craniocervical posture changes (1)(2)(3)(4) . Due to the close anatomical and functional relation that involves the craniocervicomandibular system, several studies have reported a high prevalence of signs and symptoms of CCD in subjects with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) (1,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) .…”

Spinal high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation with exercise in women with chronic temporomandibular disorders

“…In this regard, cervical manipulation might positively influence cervical movements, which can affect temporomandibular movements if cervical dysfunction is present. Moreover, De Laat et al [11] indicated significant limitation in the mobility of the upper cervical segments in patients with temporomandibular pain. It is highly likely that functional integration exists between jaw and cervical movements.…”

The effect of cervical spine manual therapy on normal mouth opening in asymptomatic subjects

“…7 During normal mouth opening, extension occurs at the cervical-cranial junction; and restriction in the upper cervical spine may decrease a patient's mouth-opening capacity. 10 De Laat et al 11 found that segmental limitations in the upper cervical spine (C0-C3) were significantly more present in patients with TMD than controls.…”