The dental literature on occlusion and myogenous orofacial pain: application of critical thinking.

OBJECTIVE

To enhance the reader's critical thinking when reading the dental literature on the relationship of occlusion and myogenous orofacial pain (MOP).

METHODS

Representative journal articles and systematic reviews from the dental literature confirming and denying a relationship of occlusion to MOP were analyzed and reviewed.

RESULTS

Studies using computerized occlusal analysis (COA) consistently find a relationship of the occlusion to MOP. Studies that do not confirm this relationship have problems with invalid primary source conclusions, unstated assumptions, bias, and errors in logic that disqualify their conclusion.

DISCUSSION

This review explains four categories of problems with the dental literature that denies occlusion has a relationship with MOP. When the reader understands these examples of flaws in this literature, they can apply this critical thinking to future studies. Correct interpretation of the literature on occlusion and MOP requires a foundation of basic and clinical scientific knowledge as well as an understanding of the details of the primary source articles.