Abstract
Dental implant treatment is widely used for the prosthetic restoration of missing teeth, but its association with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) remains an important topic. While occlusal abnormalities are known to be contributing factors in the development of TMD, many aspects remain unclear. This study of narrative review aims to evaluate the current evidence on the potential impact of implant treatment on TMD, particularly focusing on the effects of occlusal changes caused by implant prosthetics on the temporomandibular joints. A literature search using MEDLINE and Ichuushi-web was conducted to investigate the impact of these occlusal changes on TMD. The results indicated that appropriate implant treatment can stabilize the temporomandibular joints and occlusion, contributing to the prevention and improvement of TMD symptoms, and may result in favorable long-term outcomes. Changes in the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) within 5mm were found to be well tolerated by the temporomandibular joints, with a low risk of inducing TMD. Additionally, it was noted that prolonged implant treatment requiring patients to maintain an open-mouth position may increase the risk of TMD. The advancement of digital dentistry, which can shorten treatment times and reduce patient burden, is thus highly anticipated. Proper occlusal adjustment and the use of provisional restorations after implant treatment are crucial for ensuring the fit of the final prosthesis and assessing the patient's adaptive capacity. These measures can help prevent problems after the final implant prosthesis is installed. In conclusion, while further high-quality clinical research is necessary, the current evidence does not clearly support that occlusal changes due to implant prosthetics induce TMD. Clinicians should consider patients' temporomandibular symptoms and occlusal changes and strive for less invasive implant treatments.
