Medical significance of equilibration of the masticating mechanism

Abstract

1. 1. This article reports a 6-year medicodental study of the dental occlusion-mandibular joint cause and the dentopsychosomatic treatment of vertigo. Vertigo is a serious symptom complex which includes sudden attacks of dizziness, nausea, violent vomiting, blackout, and loss of consciousness. 2. 2. Of 102 patients studied, the vertigo in 77 was attributable to occlusion-joint causes. Dentopsychosomatic treatment resulted in complete relief of the vertigo of 70 of 77 (90 per cent) of the patients treated for periods of 2 to 5 years. 3. 3. The occlusion-joint causes of vertigo were displacement and traumatic movements of the condyles caused by occlusal disharmonies associated with the attrition, loss, malocclusion, and inadequate restoration and replacement of teeth. 4. 4. The diagnostic procedures included clinical observation, studies of mounted casts of the occlusion, and lateral and vertex roentgenographic studies of the temporomandibular joint-ear regions. 5. 5. The effective dental treatment of vertigo consisted of reconstruction and replacement of teeth to establish normal joint-ear relationships in accord with the criteria of temporomandibular roentgenography and a harmonious occlusion in accord with the principles of Kirk. 16 6. 6. Effective psychosomatic treatment of vertigo was coordinated with the dental treatment to mobilize the patient to cooperate with dental treatment of vertigo, to support the patient during dental treatment, to reduce vestibular sensitivity, and to alleviate anxiety.