The myofascial pain dysfunction: dental symptoms and psychological and muscular function. An overview. A preliminary study by team approach.

Patients with myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) are traditionally seen by dentists. No organic lesions are found, and there is accumulating evidence that psychological factors influence both the onset and the development of the disorder, thus calling for a multiprofessional investigation approach. This report presents a preliminary study by a team consisting of a psychiatrist, a dentist and a physiotherapist. 25 patients with MPD diagnosis were examined. Almost all of the patients had tense muscles in neck and back, indicating that muscular tension is not a local phenomenon in the masticatory muscles. It was possible to distinguish two main categories of MPD patients, the 'typical MPD patients' and the 'multiproblem patients'. Problems that need further investigation are pointed out.