What is gnatology?

Gnathology is the discipline that studies functions, dysfunctions and disorders of the jaws (maxillary bones). Thus, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the so-called “occlusal”, “temporo mandibular”, and “cranio mandibular” disorders.
These disorders include:
- mandibular
- occlusal
- temporo mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctional pain
- Costen’s
- myofascial or myofascial pain
- otomandibular
- cranio mandibular or cranio cervical mandibular
syndromes, problems, dysfunctions, disorders or pathologies.

If you suffer from one of these disorders, keep the following in mind:
do not alarm yourself, these disorders allow, if promptly treated, excellent functional recovery. Pain may be considerably reduced or totally relieved by often easy, safe and inexpensive means. It is essential for the patient to do correct physiotherapy at home (lower jaw exercise), which must be planned and taught by expert staff.

Aggressive maneuvers, such as jaw and neck ‘manipulation’ carried out by some therapists, can give the impression of immediate benefit and relief, but they very often provoke irreversible damage to the joint structures. Disorders provoked by them may arise even after a long time.

Only in some cases , treatment may be more complex and expensive. Sometimes, it may be necessary to combine medical care with specific dental care (orthodontic, prosthetic or surgical treatment).

Frequently in the course of treatment, but not always at the beginning, is the recourse to a mouth-guard appliance (of the movable /removable type), called ‘bite’ or ‘plate’, ‘splint’ or ‘orthotic’, for occasional positioning between the dental arches; but beware, in some cases its hasty, untimely or inadequate use may worsen the problem to the point of jeopardizing treatment results and functional recovery.

The pathology that determines this situation is an arthritic or arthrosic form of the mandible, which requires the visit of a dental expert in gnathology. Gnathology is not yet a specialty ( at least in Italy), but it is practised also in Italy by physicians and dentists who are experts in gnathology even though they have not had official training. There are two ‘gnathologic’ scientific associations:
- the italian association of gnathology
- the interdisciplinary association of clinical gnathology
besides a series of other associations and research groups whose purpose is to study and advance in the knowledge of this subject.

There is, at an institutional level, a university chair of ‘clinical gnathology’ at the University of Milan, (Faculty of medicine and surgery, degree course in dentistry and dental prosthesis) held by prof Riccardo Ciancaglini, full professor of odontostomathologic diseases.

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