title: Etiology and dental treatment of severe involuntary orofacial-cervical movement disorders.
abstract: A number of electromyographic studies have demonstrated evidence of the effects of dental sensation on stomatognathic muscle function. Dental occlusal imbalances have been shown to affect markedly altered EMG patterns: asynchronism, hyperactivity, and loss of bilateral balance have been noted. In most patients, distorted dental occlusions affect muscle function so that the changes remain observable only on EMG recordings. In some patients, however, the asynchronism, hyperactivity, and loss of bilateral balance may become distressing to the patient and clinically observable. Dental occlusal therapy in two patients reduced involuntary dyskinetic movements involving the face, mouth, and neck. Sustained improvement has been noted for over 8 years.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003767:Dental Occlusion, Balanced; D004576:Electromyography; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*