La oclusión como factor etiopatológico en los trastornos temporomandibulares

background: the relationship between occlusal discrepancies and tmj disorders does not always hold true. nonetheless, occlusal analysis is a requisite to achieve a correct diagnosis in the dysfunctional patient. many studies show that occlusal discrepancies can be a very important etiological factor. material and methods: various literature reviews describe the main occlusal types and the possibility of structural and functional relationships with tmj derangements. results: the relationship between each kind of malocclusion and a specific tmj disorder is due to different condyle positions in the glenoid fossa. it may be appropriate to introduce the term tooth-condyle unit because the stomatognathic system has a specific bone block or mandible, which encompass teeth and condyles. the various occlusal schemes can be considered dynamic which influences the joint. conclusion: the involvement of occlusion in the etiology of tmj disorder is conditioned by the presence of other factors. however, physiologic occlusion must be re-established for correct joint function. this implies that the specific biomechanics of each patient and it's correlation with biological parameters must be known in order to provide joint homeostasis.