ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the biologic basis for why treating pharyngorofacial disorders (POFDs) is also clinically observed to alleviate musculoskeletal pain beyond the temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), promote oxygenation to tissues, and make weight loss easier to achieve in response to standard lifestyle modifications. Dental clinicians specializing in treatment of POFD are increasingly being recognized for their contribution to regenerative orthopedics. POFDs alter biomechanics of the face, oral cavity, airway and spine thereby predisposing to musculoskeletal pain. The POF system is a complex biotensegrity unit, designed to carry out the tasks of breathing, chewing, swallowing, facial expression, and speech. The chapter also presents the degeneration of POF musculoskeletal structures, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with metabolic syndrome, and musculoskeletal pain. It suggests that there are also a number of clinical entities other than OSA that can lead activating the TCR causing bruxism without reduction in oxygen saturation levels.
