An August 2023 study (1) suggests a possible link between scoliosis and dental malocclusion, however, this link is still controversial. In this study, patients with suspected dental malocclusion and scoliosis were surveyed with questionnaires about their conditions. The researchers say their study’s findings: “suggest the necessity of assessing the spinal condition in patients with a diagnosed malocclusion, as well as checking for certain types of malocclusions in patients with a possible or confirmed presence of scoliosis. ” Further, they suggest dentists and orthopedists have to check, as early as possible, for the probable presence of both pathologies to avoid a severe progression which, in most cases, may require significant therapy and even surgery.”
A December 2023 study in the journal Clinical Radiology (2) investigated the relationship between temporomandibular disorders and the stomatognathic system (the system where functions of chewing, swallowing, talking, etc). Fifty patients 12-18 years old with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 50 healthy individuals were examined and followed. The researchers found the incidence of TMD was significantly higher in the scoliosis group compared to the control group. Among scoliosis patients, a moderate negative correlation was observed between the Cobb angle (indicative of curvature severity) and mouth opening (the more severe the spinal curve the less the mouth opening). Additionally, it was found that a 1-unit increase in joint space elastography value (a measure of soft tissue stiffness, in TMJ typically a measure of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc and masseter muscle) led to a 4.81-fold higher likelihood of diagnosing disc displacement with reduction. (In other words, the stiffer the disc and muscles, the greater the likelihood of disc displacement. According to the researchers this “underscore(s) the importance of joint elastography as a valuable quantitative tool in TMD diagnosis.”)
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Our published research
The association between mandibular position to cervical spine and internal jugular vein diameters in upright position. Have we been ignoring critical generators of head and neck pathology? Lockerman LZ, Hauser R. The association between mandibular position to cervical spine and internal jugular vein diameters in upright position. Have we been ignoring critical generators of head and neck pathology? Cranio. 2023 Sep;41(5):403-406. [Google Scholar]
Dextrose Prolotherapy and Pain of Chronic TMJ Dysfunction Hauser R., Hauser H, Blakemore KA. Dextrose Prolotherapy and Pain of Chronic TMJ Dysfunction. (2007) [Google Scholar]
References
1 Saccomanno S, Saran S, Paskay LC, Giannotta N, Mastrapasqua RF, Pirino A, Scoppa F. Malocclusion and Scoliosis: Is There a Correlation?. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2023 Aug 10;13(8):1249. [Google Scholar]
2 Kendirci MY, Ertürk AF, Özcan İ, Kendirci AŞ, Akgül T. The role of scoliosis on temporomandibular joint disease: a cross-sectional study based on ultrasonography. Clinical Radiology. [Google Scholar]