Stomatognathic

Stomatognathic refers to the stomatognathic system, a complex functional unit that encompasses the structures of the mouth and jaws. It includes the teeth, maxilla and mandible, temporomandibular joints, the muscles of mastication, the tongue, lips, cheeks, hard and soft palate, and the nerves and vessels that innervate them. The system is primarily involved in activities such as chewing, swallowing, speech, and maintaining airway patency.

It relies on integrated neuromuscular control to coordinate jaw movements with dentition and tongue activity, supporting occlusion, articulation, and deglutition. Normal function depends on stable occlusion, healthy dentition, and properly functioning joints and muscles. The stomatognathic system interacts with respiration, posture, and facial expression, making it a multidisciplinary concern in dentistry, medicine, and speech-language pathology.

Clinical relevance includes temporomandibular disorders (TMD), malocclusion, bruxism, dysphagia, and other orofacial pain syndromes. Assessment combines patient history, manual examination of jaw range of motion and muscle tenderness, evaluation of occlusion and joint sounds, and imaging as needed. Treatments are typically conservative and multidisciplinary, featuring patient education, physical therapy, splints or occlusal appliances, management of parafunctional habits, and, when indicated, orthodontic or surgical interventions.