Dental compression syndrome and TMD: examining the relationship

Fifty years ago, McCollum and Stuart described a subtle pathology of function in the human masticatory system that was difficult to understand. That subtle pathology is the damage that results from compression of teeth. It is subtle because often the patient is unaware. It is pathologic because it applies untoward stress to the dentition, alveolar bone, and the TMJ. It is difficult to understand for many reasons: multiple etiology, few patient complaints, poor understanding of the deformations caused by DCS, the role of equilibration during treatment is unclear, and the dissimilar ways it takes its toll. For proper management of DCS, the general dentist should monitor for signs of compression and wear, educate the patient about the problem, and provide treatment. While every patient with a flattened dentition should not have their teeth dramatically altered or reconstructed, the dental profession should form a consensus that the natural, sharp morphology of teeth is superior to a flattened dentition, and should be preserved throughout one's lifetime.