Editing Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (section)

===Occlusal adjustment===
This is the adjustment or reorganizing of the existing occlusion, carried out in the belief that this will redistribute forces evenly across the dental arches or achieve a more favorable position of the condyles in the fossae, which is purported to lessen tooth wear, bruxism and TMD, but this is controversial. These techniques are sometimes termed "occlusal rehabilitation" or "occlusal equilibration".<ref name="Shetty 2010" /> At its simplest, an occlusal adjustment involves selective grinding (with a dental drill) of the enamel of the occlusal surfaces of teeth, with the aim of allowing the upper teeth to fit with the lower teeth in a more harmonious way.<ref name="Luther 2010" /> However, there is much disagreement between proponents of these techniques on most of the aspects involved, including the indications and the exact goals. Occlusal adjustment can also be very complex, involving [[orthodontic]]s, [[restorative dentistry]] or even [[orthognathic surgery]]. Some have criticized these occlusal reorganizations as having no evidence base, and irreversibly damaging the dentition on top of the damage already caused by bruxism.<ref name="Shetty 2010" /> A "middle ground" view of these techniques is that occlusal adjustment in most cases of TMD is neither desirable nor helpful as a first-line treatment, and furthermore, with few exceptions, any adjustments should be reversible.<ref name="Wassell 2008" /> However, most dentists consider this unnecessary overtreatment,<ref name="Wassell 2008" /> with no evidence of benefit.<ref name="Kerawala 2010" /> Specifically, orthodontics and orthognathic surgery are not considered by most to be appropriate treatments for TMD.<ref name="Kerawala 2010" /> A systematic review investigating all the scientific studies carried out on occlusal adjustments in TMD concluded the following: 
{{blockquote|"There is an absence of evidence of effectiveness for occlusal adjustment. Based on these data occlusal adjustment cannot be recommended for the treatment or prevention of TMD.<ref name="Koh 2004" />}}

These conclusions were based largely on the fact that, despite many different scientific studies investigating this measure as a therapy, overall no statistically significant differences can be demonstrated between treatment with occlusal adjustment and treatment with [[placebo]]. The reviewers also stated that there are ethical implications if occlusal adjustment was found to be ineffective in preventing TMD.<ref name="Koh 2004" />

Orthodontic treatment, as described earlier, is sometimes listed as a possible predisposing factor in the development of TMD. On the other hand, orthodontic treatment is also often carried out in the belief that it may treat or prevent TMD. Another systematic review investigating the relationship between orthodontics and TMD concluded the following:

{{blockquote|"There is no evidence to support or refute the use of orthodontic treatment for the treatment of TMD. In addition, there are no data which identify a link between active orthodontic intervention and the causation of TMD. Based on the lack of data, orthodontic treatment cannot be recommended for the treatment or prevention of TMD."<ref name="Luther 2010" /> }}

A common scenario where a newly placed dental restoration (e.g. a crown or a filling) is incorrectly contoured, and creates a premature contact in the bite. This may localize all the force of the bite onto one tooth, and cause inflammation of the periodontal ligament and reversible increase in tooth mobility. The tooth may become tender to bite on. Here, the "occlusal adjustment" has already taken place inadvertently, and the adjustment aims to return to the pre-existing occlusion. This should be distinguished from attempts to deliberately reorganize the native occlusion.