Abstract
About this talk
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by severe, recurrent episodes of facial pain that can significantly impair quality of life. Although neurovascular compression is a recognized cause of classical TN, not all patients exhibit identifiable neurovascular pathology, suggesting that additional mechanisms may contribute to trigeminal pain. Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) therapy offers a novel, non-surgical approach that targets prolonged posterior occlusal contacts and associated masticatory muscle hyperactivity through precise, computer-guided occlusal adjustments. Utilizing T-Scan digital occlusal analysis and surface electromyography (BioEMG), DTR therapy objectively evaluates occlusal contact timing and muscle activity to identify and reduce potentially excessive trigeminal sensory-motor stimulation. Clinical observations involving patients previously diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia have demonstrated substantial reductions in facial pain, including complete symptom resolution in most cases following DTR treatment. These outcomes suggest that occlusal dysfunction, prolonged posterior disclusion times, and altered masticatory muscle activity may contribute to trigeminal nociceptive input or amplify existing neuropathic symptoms in certain individuals. This presentation explores the proposed neurophysiological mechanisms linking dental occlusion, trigeminal proprioception, masticatory muscle activity, and facial pain while highlighting clinical cases in which DTR therapy was associated with meaningful symptomatic improvement. Particular attention will be given to the potential role of occlusal interference in trigeminal sensory-motor dysfunction and the importance of differentiating classical trigeminal neuralgia from overlapping temporomandibular and myofascial pain disorders. Although these clinical observations do not establish a causal relationship they provide a rationale for further investigation into whether targeted occlusal therapy may offer an additional therapeutic option for selected patients. By integrating objective biometric measurements with a neurophysiological understanding of the stomatognathic system, DTR therapy introduces a potentially important interdisciplinary approach to the evaluation and management of complex trigeminal pain conditions.
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