The possible effect of periodontal diseases on occlusal function.

This paper raises new questions about the relationship between occlusion and periodontics. Specifically, it raises questions about the effect of periodontal diseases on mechanoreceptors in the periodontal ligament. Periodontal mechanoreceptors transmit information from the periodontium to various reflexes coordinated by the central nervous system. One of these reflexes is the trigemino-neck reflex. Its function is to change the position of the head, neck, and jaws on a moment-to-moment basis, and it powerfully influences the occlusal position. This paper raises questions about the consequences of periodontal diseases on all reflexes that depend on periodontal mechanoreceptors, and specific questions are raised about the effect of periodontal disease on the trigemino-neck reflex because of its extreme importance to the way we analyze and treat occlusion.