Need for occlusal therapy and prosthodontic treatment in the management oftemporomandibular disorders. Part I. Occlusal interferences and occlusal adjustment

This review, divided into two parts, evaluates the literature on the relati onship between dental occlusion and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and t he need for occlusal therapy in the management of TMD. The first part of th e review focuses on the aetiological importance of occlusal interferences a nd the place of occlusal adjustment in the management and prevention of sig ns and symptoms of TMD. This has long been a controversial issue, which has not yet been resolved. The literature does not give strong support for the role of occlusion in. the aetiology of TMD. Experienced clinicians also re pudiate the need for occlusal adjustment in the management of TMD, whereas (less experienced) general dentists adhere to a concept focusing on the occ lusion in diagnosis and treatment of TMD. There is a consensus that general ized prophylactic occlusal adjustment is not justified. There is an obvious need for research with evidence-based methods, to be able to the many rema ining questions in this field.