"The link between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Temporomandibular Disorder: A Systematic Review"

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a group of pain-related disorders in the craniofacial region. Impairment associated with the jaw’s function characterizes the condition, such as malocclusion, disfunction of mastication muscles and temporomandibular joint. In gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the gastric acid content is refluxed to the oesophagus, and in many cases, toward the oral cavity leading to clinical symptoms. We aimed to assess the relationship between GERD and TMD based on a review of contemporary literature. Methods: 240 studies were identified during the database search; an additional 17 were selected by hand. Abstracted screening selected 25 studies for in-depth analyses, out of which 10 were chosen for systematic review. Results: The systematic review includes 1984 patients from 10 articles. The mean age of patients was 29 years. GERD was identified as a risk factor for TMD. Fifty per cent of studies have dealt with the treatment of GERD together with TMD. In three studies, omeprazole was used to treat GERD symptoms, and in one, there were advised against managing TMD with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in GERD patients. Conclusion: TMD can occur in patients with GERD. However, the relationship between both diseases has rarely been studied. Cooperation between doctors and dentists is recommended in treating patients with GERD and TMD, especially in selecting appropriate pharmacotherapy.