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Updated: May 19, 2026
07:26
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Spasmodic torticollis: the dental connection.
Anthony B Sims1, Brendan C Stack, G Gary Demerjian
1absimsdds@hotmail.com
Cranio : the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice
|August 25, 2012
Summary
Spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia) symptoms may improve with dental appliances that adjust jaw alignment. Opening the vertical dimension of occlusion showed promise in reducing head posture abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dentistry
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Spasmodic torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia (CD), is the most common focal dystonia.
- It involves sustained abnormal muscle contractions in the neck, leading to abnormal head positioning.
- CD can affect various neck muscle combinations and is a painful neurological disorder.
Observation:
- Three cases of spasmodic torticollis were treated using a dental appliance.
- The appliance was designed with varying occlusal heights to increase the maxillomandibular vertical dimension.
- This intervention aimed to address potential temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction coexisting with CD.
Findings:
- Increasing the vertical dimension of occlusion led to a reduction or cessation of cervical dystonia symptoms.
- The proposed mechanism involves potential neuritis of the auriculotemporal nerve branch.
- This nerve has direct input into the reticular formation (RF), influencing head posture control.
Implications:
- Dental interventions may offer a novel treatment approach for spasmodic torticollis.
- Further research is warranted to explore the link between TMJ dysfunction and cervical dystonia.
- This approach could provide a non-invasive option for managing this debilitating condition.
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