Advances in research on dental occlusion and brain function: neuroimaging correlates and molecular mechanisms

The relationship between dental occlusion and brain function is bidirectional, involving neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and clinical disorders. Occlusal sensory input modulates sensorimotor control, cognitive functions, and emotional states via neural pathways, while aberrant brain function can conversely disrupt occlusion homeostasis. This review synthesizes recent progress in deciphering the bidirectional interactions between dental occlusion and brain function, with a focus on the impacts of occlusion on brain structure and function, the underpinning molecular and physiological mechanisms, as well as the neural regulatory pathways governing occlusion. Crucially, this synthesis evaluates evidence strength, distinguishes animal models from human clinical studies, accounts for confounding factors such as periodontitis and systemic inflammation, and highlights methodological limitations in current neuroimaging research. These findings hold substantial implications for basic neuroscience research, clinical dentistry, and the interdisciplinary management of dental and neurological comorbidities.