The Impact of Temporomandibular Disorders on Orthodontic Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The literature on the impact of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) on orthodontic management or vice versa lacks clarity. This study presents a review that aims to evaluate the influence of TMDs on orthodontic management and explore the association between TMDs and various aspects of orthodontic treatment. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases to identify relevant articles documenting the correlation between TMD incidence and orthodontic treatment to achieve the objectives. The selection process followed predefined criteria, and the selected studies underwent bias assessment using the AXIS tool and Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Among the articles identified, nine studies were deemed suitable for inclusion in the review. The findings from the subsequent meta-analysis indicated a significant overall effect, suggesting that orthodontic treatment may increase the risk of developing TMD. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that patients with TMD had higher odds of experiencing orthodontic issues than those without TMD. Subgroup analysis further demonstrated that orthodontic treatment could have a negative impact on the psychological well-being of TMD patients, while its effect on TMD incidence was found to be negligible. The results highlight the need for additional research to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and develop appropriate interventions aimed at minimizing the risk of TMD in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Clinicians should be aware of TMD as a potential complication of orthodontic treatment and implement appropriate monitoring strategies.