Scientific Articles

Abstract

This case report intends to present a functional appliance designed by the first author, that follow the principles expected for all functional appliances. It is not anchored on teeth. It does not produce mechanical forces and uses tongue and mandible posture change as natural forces. The appliance was used for 24 months, only to sleep. The patient came complaining discomfort with improper occlusion of the teeth and temporomandibular pain. Body balance was evaluated by DIERS and was also altered. It was possible to find out the presence of a unilateral crossbite and alteration on condyle position inside the cavity evaluated by CBCT. After the treatment with CPB (Cranial Posture Balance) appliance associated with osteopathic procedures, the occlusion and the temporomandibular complains were improved.

Keywords

Abstract

The stomatognathic system (SS) has gained higher visibility over the last decades due to emerging primary records evaluating its complex relationships with the central nervous system (CNS). Multiple anatomical and functional functions can be correlated with the SS, including its critical role in craniofacial development. We assessed whether the suggested terminology “neurostomatology” adequately reflects true conceptual scientific advancements or should be considered as a mere neologism. This study used principles of integrative synthesis of the literature, including evidence from multiple fields and medical specialties. Therefore, we collated information related to embryology, neural crest migration, cranial nerve distribution, neurotrophins signaling, bone mechanotransduction, and CNS-SS feedback loops. In addition, we emphasized our analysis and descriptive summarization on experimental and clinical results correlating mastication, neuroplasticity, and hippocampal function. The SS is derived from neural crest cells and is formed by a dense network of afferent and efferent neural pathways and connections, exhibiting a highly developed proprioceptive sensitivity property. The functional stimulation of the SS, especially related to the mastication activation, has been demonstrated to impact hippocampal activity, besides modulating neurotrophins expression and shaping bone architecture through cellular signaling networks. The collated evidence highlights SS as an active modulator of neural development, maintenance, and adaptation. Based on the various publications aforementioned, the authors conclude that the term “neurostomatology” is not solely a neologism, but depicts an existing paradigm shift in comprehending of stomatognathic system physiology. This expanded evaluation of literature and historical features related to the theme reinforces the fundamentals of JFO.

Keywords