Occlusal interferences and temporomandibular dysfunction.

Disagreement exists regarding the relationship between occlusal interferences and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). This study sought to determine how a balanced occlusion, providing uniform contact in centric relation, would affect signs and symptoms of TMD. A randomly chosen group of 60 patients with occlusal interferences and signs and symptoms of TMD used a mandibular orthotic to balance their occlusions at centric relation (CR). When the occlusions of symptomatic patients were balanced in CR, there was a significant reduction or elimination of TMD complaints, suggesting a relationship between balancing occlusion in CR and optimum management of TMD.