Current Concepts in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Associated With Occlusal Disorders: A Systematic Review

Preprint Notice: This manuscript is a preprint and has not undergone peer review. It is shared to support early dissemination of scientific findings and may contain updates in future versions. Background. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) remains an актуальним problem of modern dentistry, as disturbances of occlusion and masticatory muscle function lead to structural changes in the joint, development of pain syndrome and functional limitations. Purpose - to systematize and analyze scientific data on the role of occlusal interferences in the development of temporomandibular joint dysfunction by summarizing pathogenetic mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, and modern treatment approaches. Materials and Methods - a systematic analysis of scientific publications from 2015 to 2025 was performed using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar databases following PRISMA guidelines. Terming MeSH included: “temporomandibular joint dysfunction”, “occlusal interference”, “mandibular deviation”, “bruxism”, “occlusal adjustment”, “CBCT”, “electromyography”, applying the logical operators AND, OR, NOT, Results - the clinical course of the disorder is also influenced by mandibular fractures, orthodontic anomalies, prosthetic errors, periodontal diseases, bruxism and psycho-emotional stress. For early diagnosis, a complex approach using clinical, radiological and functional methods is recommended, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography, axiography, and digital occlusal analysis (T-Scan). Special emphasis is placed on the application of standardized diagnostic criteria (DC/TMD and RDC/TMD) and validated questionnaires for the assessment of pain intensity and functional limitations. Effective treatment should be comprehensive and include elimination of pathological occlusal contacts, splint therapy, physiotherapy, correction of parafunctions and psycho-emotional conditions, and, in cases of severe morphological changes, prosthetic and surgical interventions. Conclusions - according to recent meta-analyses, the use of stabilization and repositioning splints provides clinical improvement in 70–85% of patients. The obtained findings have significant practical value for improving the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with occlusal disturbances associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The results also emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach using modern digital technologies in clinical practice.