Anterior open bite and temporomandibular disorders: A scoping review

Objectives To determine if there is evidence of an association between Anterior Open Bite (AOB) and Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs), and evidence of any cause-and-effect relationship between these two factors. Methods Adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, searches were conducted in MEDLINE-OVID, Scopus, Embase-OVID, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria included studies investigating the association between AOB and TMDs, regardless of publication date. Data were presented through narrative exposition and tables. Results A total of 133 studies met the inclusion criteria, published between 1968 and 2024. Most studies were cohort designs, or case reports, involving the adult dentition only. 46% of included publications investigated a cause-and-effect relationship between AOB and TMDs. Of the relevant publications, 78% (n = 49) reported AOB occurring secondary to TMDs, which were almost exclusively attributed to degenerative joint diseases. 22% (n = 14) investigated AOB as the leading aetiological factor, where 93% of these studies observed that a pre-existing AOB significantly increased the risk of developing TMDs. Conclusions Individuals diagnosed with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic condylar resorption, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis had a greater incidence of acquiring AOB. Analysis also suggests a potential link between those with a pre-existing skeletal AOB, and TMDs including disc displacement, arthralgia, and myofascial pain. At present, it is suggested that clinical treatment of concomitant AOB and TMD is guided by management of each condition in isolation, but evidence encourages clinicians to consider any potential interaction. Future research should consider case-matched longitudinal studies, over an extended period, to determine a strong association/causality between AOB and TMDs.