How psychotherapeutic medication affects the temporomandibular joint and bruxism
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Citation
Abstract
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and disorders, as well as bruxism, have been common amongst humans for centuries and are increasingly becoming a worry for dental providers. Onset of TMJ pain and bruxism, for the most part, take on their own course, whether provoked by a subconscious habit, a certain stressor that an individual is facing, or even through a natural occurrence from the anatomical variation of an individual. However, as research goes deeper into the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders, and more of the world’s population is being prescribed with a psychotherapeutic medication, temporomandibular joint disorders and bruxism have become more common amongst individuals.
The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the link between temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and bruxism with the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications by comparing their pharmacological pathways to the etiology and pathophysiology of these disorders. The field of dentistry combats these disorders with the use of nightguards, botulinum toxin injections, and even highly invasive surgeries, however, there has been some evidence, especially, with the increased circulation of prescription psychotropics, that these medications may cause and/or contribute to TMD and bruxism. Thus, dental providers must begin to direct their attention to being proactive against TMD and bruxism caused by these medications.
Research has demonstrated an increase in the prescription and consumption of medicinal psychotherapeutics as well as temporomandibular disorders such as orofacial pain, and bruxism. The literature present gives possible reasons for these increases, which include worsening socioeconomic factors and changes within the diagnostic criteria for behavior health disorders. Research also reveals similarities between the neurophysiological pathology of TMD and bruxism with the pharmacological pathways of psychotherapeutic medication. There is also scarce research assessing the correlation between patients taking certain psychotherapeutics, and those reporting symptoms of TMD or bruxism. There is no literature documenting if there is a correlation or causative path leading to the increase of these orofacial disorders as a result of increased use of these medications.
Although it is unclear if psychotherapeutics affect the TMJ, their modulation of certain neurotransmitters may lead medical professionals to conclude that they may be a common contributor to temporomandibular dental related disorders. Therefore, treatment for TMD and bruxism should not overlook if a patient is prescribed a certain psychotherapeutic medication, for at times, they could be a contributor to the problem and should also be considered in treatment approaches.