From the Guidelines
Lower jaw protrusion can significantly impact neck musculature, leading to compensatory changes, muscle imbalances, and potential pain and postural abnormalities, as evidenced by the complex interplay between the temporomandibular joint and the cervical spine 1.
Key Considerations
- The temporomandibular joint and the cervical spine function as a unit, with changes in one area affecting the other, leading to adaptations in neck musculature when the lower jaw is protruded forward.
- Chronic protrusion of the mandible can result in overactivity and tension in the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and suboccipital muscles, contributing to muscle imbalances and potential pain.
- Treatment approaches should focus on addressing the underlying cause of mandibular protrusion, as well as the resulting muscular adaptations, through a multidisciplinary approach involving dental specialists, physical therapists, and pain management specialists.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
- Physical therapy focusing on muscle rebalancing exercises, postural correction, and manual therapy to release tight tissues can be beneficial in addressing the effects of lower jaw protrusion on neck musculature 2.
- Dental or orthodontic interventions may be necessary to address the underlying cause of mandibular protrusion, and should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of lower jaw protrusion on neck musculature, and to develop effective treatment strategies for addressing these effects, including the use of objective adherence monitors and the assessment of long-term outcomes associated with oral appliance therapy 1, 2.
From the Research
Effects of Lower Jaw Protrusion on Neck Musculature
- The relationship between jaw movements and neck musculature has been studied in the context of managing chronic non-specific neck pain 3.
- Research has shown that jaw opening is associated with neck extension, while jaw closing is associated with neck flexion 3.
- A study found that integrating jaw opening and closing movements with active neck exercises can be an effective approach in reducing pain and disability, improving neck muscles endurance, and normalizing neck proprioception in patients with chronic neck pain 3.
- However, the specific effects of lower jaw protrusion on neck musculature are not directly addressed in the available studies.
- Studies have focused on the treatment of long, nonprojecting chin, which may involve vertical reduction and sagittal augmentation, but do not provide information on the effects of lower jaw protrusion on neck musculature 4.
- Other research has explored the effects of exercise therapy on painful temporomandibular disorders, but does not specifically examine the relationship between lower jaw protrusion and neck musculature 5, 6, 7.