Improvement of cerebral circulation with the help of mouth guards (orthodontic appliances)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of orthodontic appliances in improving cerebral circulation. The 24 participants of the study underwent a rheoencephalographic examination before and during the use of mouth guards. Its results analysed the changes in blood filling and blood flow in the brain vessels and evaluated the dynamics of treatment. According to the results of the study, insignificant, and slight positive treatment dynamics were detected in 58.33% of the subjects, no negative dynamics were detected, and no significant changes were recorded in 41.67% of the participants. This effect of orthodontic appliances on improving cerebral circulation is explained by the fact that by alleviating the symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction, they affect the balance of the centre of gravity of the skull, reduce tension and spasm in the neck muscles, and protect the joints from mechanical irritation, which helps to reduce vascular tone and improves blood filling and blood flow in the masticatory muscles and jaw joint. The blood filling of the chewing muscles and jaw joint has no direct connection with the blood filling of the brain vessels, as these structures are supplied from different arteries, However, a decrease in vascular tone in the craniomandibular system and in the muscle bed of the cervical spine can affect blood pressure reduction and venous outflow in the jaw joint, which will indirectly improve cerebral circulation. The obtained results indicate that orthodontic problems can be factors of deterioration of blood filling and blood flow in the vessels of the brain, so the use of mouth guards is an effective method that should be used in the complex treatment of patients with cerebral circulation disorders