# Instrumental Occlusal Analysis in Migraine Patients: A Quantitative Cross Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study found that migraine patients have significant differences in jaw and bite measurements compared to a control group, suggesting a possible link between occlusal factors and migraines.

## Contribution

The study provides new empirical evidence of occlusal and articular differences in migraine patients using instrumental analysis.

## Key findings

- Migraine patients showed greater retral condylar displacement compared to controls.
- Migraineurs had higher self-reported grinding and occlusal index values.
- Angular differences and occlusal plane inclination were significantly different between the groups.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate possible differences of functional occlusal variables between a group of migraine patients (MG) and a control group (CG).

Each group included 50 individuals. Instrumental functional analysis and digital occlusal analysis were performed. Variables examined were condylar displacement from a reference position to maximum intercuspation; angular difference between the steepness of the articular eminence and the contra‐lateral canine guidance; and angular difference between the steepness of the articular eminence and the ipsilateral central incisor guidance and occlusal plane inclination. Self‐reported grinding and occlusal index were also investigated.

There were statistically significant differences in the extent of retral condylar displacement assessed both clinically [MG: 0.49 mm (SD 0.67 mm), CG: 0.29 mm (SD 0.27 mm), p = 0.012] and digital‐mechanically [MG: 1.53 mm (SD 0.95 mm), CG: 0.9 mm (SD 0.66 mm), p = 0.001], the angular difference between the steepness of the articular eminence and the contra‐lateral canine guidance [MG: 13.11° (SD 8.33°), CG: 9.47° (SD 7.08°), p = 0.021 and MG: 12.94° (SD 8.71°), CG: 9.44° (SD 8.70°), p = 0.017], and the occlusal plane inclination [MG: 11.16° (SD 4.66°), CG: 9.09° (SD 4.37°), p = 0.024]. Self‐reported grinding (MG: 39/50, CG: 12/50, p < 0.001) and occlusal index [MG: 1.92 (SD 0.46), CG: 0.21 (SD 0.66), p < 0.001] were also significantly higher in migraineurs.

Articular and occlusal structures could play a role in migraine and thus should be considered in an interdisciplinary approach.