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Medicina
Special Issues
Advanced Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain
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Advanced Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Dentistry and Oral Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2026) | Viewed by 3036

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mariana Pacurar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Interests: orthodontics; mini implants; multidisciplinary treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sorana Maria Bucur

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Faculty of Medicine, Dimitrie Cantemir University, Bodoni Sandor, 3-5, Târgu Mureș, Romania
Interests: temporomandibular disorders; orofacial pain; orthodontics; TMJ imaging (CBCT); occlusal trauma; conservative therapy; dental anxiety; muscle relaxation; interdisciplinary dentistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and orofacial pain represent a complex group of conditions involving the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, occlusal relationships, and associated neurovascular structures. These disorders not only affect oral function but are closely linked to psychosocial, biomechanical, and systemic factors, making their diagnosis and management a true interdisciplinary challenge.

Recent research highlights a bidirectional relationship between TMDs and contributing factors such as psychological stress, parafunctional habits like bruxism, impacted third molars, and occlusal trauma. Emerging diagnostic tools and minimally invasive treatment approaches, including splint therapy, muscle relaxation techniques, and digital occlusal analysis, have significantly expanded therapeutic possibilities and clinical outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic innovations, and integrated treatment strategies related to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and orofacial pain. Individualized, evidence-based management strategies are achieving both functional recovery and a better quality of life in these patients.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and interdisciplinary professionals to submit original research articles and systematic reviews that address current challenges, novel methodologies, or translational approaches in this evolving area of dental medicine.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Mariana Pacurar
Guest Editor

Dr. Sorana Maria Bucur
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • temporomandibular disorders
  • orofacial pain
  • bruxism
  • occlusal trauma
  • TMJ imaging
  • interdisciplinary treatment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 404 KB  
Article
The Relationship Between Dentofacial and Body Postural Asymmetries in Patients with Malocclusions—A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study
by Alexandra-Nina Botezatu, Eduard Radu Cernei, Elena Mihaela Cărăușu, Daniela Anistoroaei and Georgeta Zegan
Medicina 2026, 62(4), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040626 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 728
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Dentofacial asymmetries are common in patients with malocclusions, while mild body postural asymmetries are frequently reported in otherwise healthy individuals. However, their interrelationship remains insufficiently investigated in adults without diagnosed spinal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Dentofacial asymmetries are common in patients with malocclusions, while mild body postural asymmetries are frequently reported in otherwise healthy individuals. However, their interrelationship remains insufficiently investigated in adults without diagnosed spinal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dentofacial and body postural asymmetries in adults with malocclusions. Materials and Methods: A clinical cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 102 adults (18–45 years) with malocclusions and no spinal pathology. Standardized clinical morphometric examinations assessed dentofacial asymmetries (horizontal and vertical planes), dental parameters (dental midlines deviation and occlusal plane inclination), and body postural asymmetries (head, shoulder, trunk, pelvic, and lower limb alignment). Asymmetries were recorded using predefined clinical thresholds. Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson chi-square test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: Dentofacial asymmetries were identified in both planes and occurred more frequently on the left side. Horizontal facial asymmetries were most common at the cheek (74.5%), nostril (66.7%), and mandibular angle levels (57.9%), and were influenced by sex, age, facial growth pattern, and facial profile (p ≤ 0.05). Mandibular dental midline asymmetry was present in 55.8% of patients. Body postural asymmetries were also frequent, particularly unilateral (60.8%) or anterior (55.9%) head inclination and shoulder asymmetries (54.9%), with a predominance on the left side and associations with age, body mass index, and postural attitude (p ≤ 0.05). Correlations were identified among facial asymmetries and among body postural asymmetries (p ≤ 0.01), indicating a bilateral distribution pattern. Additionally, right-sided facial asymmetries showed significant positive associations with right-sided body postural asymmetries (ρ = 0.197–0.229; p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Dentofacial and body postural asymmetries have been identified in adults with malocclusions and presented side-specific associations regarding the patterns of asymmetry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain)
13 pages, 548 KB  
Article
Prevalence and Patterns of Oral Behaviors in Romanian Adults: An Exploratory Study
by Alexandra Lavinia Vlad, Olivia Andreea Marcu, Ioana Scrobota, Ioan Andrei Țig, Raluca Ortensia Cristina Iurcov and Gabriela Ciavoi
Medicina 2025, 61(10), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61101857 - 16 Oct 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 923
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Harmful repetitive oral behaviors impose an excessive load on the stomatognathic system. Being unconscious and involuntary, patients are often unaware of their occurrence and, consequently, of their potential consequences. We aimed to screen the Romanian population for harmful oral habits, [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Harmful repetitive oral behaviors impose an excessive load on the stomatognathic system. Being unconscious and involuntary, patients are often unaware of their occurrence and, consequently, of their potential consequences. We aimed to screen the Romanian population for harmful oral habits, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of employing validated and internationally accepted diagnostic instruments for a better approach to these conditions. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive study was conducted on 459 adults, recruited through a multiregional convenience sampling from the general population in Romania. Oral behaviors were assessed using the validated Oral Behaviors Checklist (OBC-21) questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The sample included 363 women (79.1%) and 96 men (20.9%), with a mean age of 33.3 years. The mean total OBC score was 22.45 ± 10.27, indicating a moderate prevalence of oral behaviors. 60.1% of participants were classified as low-risk and 39.9% as high-risk, with none in the no-risk category. The most frequently reported behaviors were sleeping positions exerting pressure on the mandible (57.7% “very often”), sustained talking (11.3%), and nocturnal bruxism (10.5%). Younger adults (20–49 years) presented significantly higher OBC scores compared to both younger extremes (18 years) and older adults (>60 years) (p < 0.001). No significant gender differences were observed in total OBC scores; however, unilateral chewing, sustained talking, and holding objects between the teeth were significantly more frequent among women (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate oral behaviors in a Romanian adult population. Postural and involuntary activities were the most prevalent and age influenced OBC scores, while gender differences were limited to individual behaviors. Conducting screening and implementing therapeutic interventions based on the assessed level of risk could enhance the overall management of the condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain)
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