Role of upper cervical spine in temporomandibular disorders.

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are prevalent multifactorial pathologies in which the actual role of the cervical region position is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationship between the position of the upper cervical rachis and the symptoms of TMD.

METHODS

Sixty women were recruited to this study. All of them completed a questionnaire and were subjected to a temporomadibular exploration to create two different groups: a TMD Group (n= 30) - women who suffered TMD symptoms according to the evaluation; and a control group (n= 30) - women who were free from TMD symptoms. Two X-ray examinations were performed in all the women: a lateral one and a frontal one with mouth open to assess the C1-C0 distance and the craniocervical angle.

RESULTS

ANOVA showed that the TMD and control women had similar C1-C0 distances and craniocervical angles (p> 0.05). Pearson correlation did not indicate any relationship between the craniocervical position and the symptomatology of TMD (r=- 0.070).

CONCLUSIONS

TMD symptomatology is unrelated to alterations in craniocervical position (C0-C1 distance and craniocervical angle). Women with and without TMD showed a similar prevalence of alteration in the craniocervical position.