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 temporo-madibular 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 Cl CO distance and the craniocervical angle. RESULTS: ANOVA showed that the TMD and control women had similar Cl CO 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.