Temporomandibular disorders in head and neck cancers: Overview of specific mechanisms and management

Abstract

Diagnosis classification system of Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is based on the biopsychosocial model of pain. The pathogenesis is poorly understood, leading to difficulties in treating these multifactorial conditions. The predisposing factors are pathophysiological, psychological or structural processes that alter the masticatory system and lead to an increase in the risk of development of TMD. The purpose of this integrative review was then to point out the specific mechanisms of TMD in the oral oncologic context to optimize the TMJ functional results in the management of patients with oral oncologic conditions. We explored in this paper the role of Axis II assessment of the biopsychosocial model of pain, the involvement of mechanical concepts such as dental occlusion, mandibular condyle positioning and related-structures reconstruction, and the stomatognathic changes induced by radiation.