The effect of musculoskeletal facial pain on registration of maxillomandibular relationships and treatment planning: A synthesis of the literature

Abstract

Statement of problem. A significant number of patients exist who are in need of prosthodontic rehabilitation and who at the same time report musculoskeletal pain in the facial area. Purpose. This article, which is based on an assessment of both the past and the most recent basic science and clinical literature, evaluates the effect of musculoskeletal facial pain on two static (physiologic rest position and centric relation) and two dynamic (protrusive border and lateral border movements) maxillomandibular relationships. Material and methods. To find the relevant studies addressing the association between musculoskeletal facial pain and maxillomandibular relationships, a MEDLINE search was conducted, which was complemented by a hand search in selected journals. Results and Conclusions. Musculoskeletal facial pain seems to variably affect the aforementioned positions and movements. Hence, the validity of maxillomandibular registrations in patients with existing facial pain is questioned. In those patients with facial pain who simultaneously are in need of a prosthodontic rehabilitation, clinicians should be cautious with regard to the timing of the restorative procedures. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;79:439-45.)