Stomatognathic Diseases
Stomatognathic diseases are disorders affecting the mouth, teeth, jaws, temporomandibular joints, and associated muscles and tissues.
Oral cavity: The space inside the mouth, containing the teeth, tongue, gums, and other structures. Many stomatognathic disorders begin in the mouth’s lining, glands, or supporting tissues.
Dental caries: Progressive damage to tooth structure caused by acids produced when oral bacteria metabolize carbohydrates. It is a common disease of the teeth within the stomatognathic system.
Dental plaque: A structured microbial biofilm that forms on tooth surfaces. Plaque bacteria contribute to both dental caries and periodontal inflammation.
Odontogenic pain: Pain arising from a tooth or its supporting tissues. It can resemble jaw-muscle or joint pain but originates in dental structures.
Dentition: The complete arrangement of teeth in an individual or species. Tooth decay, tooth loss, and malocclusion affect this part of the stomatognathic system.
Periodontitis: A chronic inflammatory disease that destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. It can loosen teeth by damaging the periodontium and surrounding bone.
Biofilm: A community of microorganisms attached to a surface and embedded in a self-produced matrix. Dental plaque is a biofilm whose organization helps microbes persist on teeth.
Trigeminal neuralgia: A chronic pain disorder causing brief, severe attacks along one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. Facial pain may be mistaken for dental disease despite its neurological origin.
Periodontium: The tissues that surround and support the teeth, including gums, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease damages the tissues anchoring teeth to the jaws.
Temporomandibular disorders: A group of conditions causing pain or impaired movement in the jaw joints and associated muscles. These disorders directly affect jaw motion and can cause facial pain.