Which factor concerning how the teeth meet (bite) is commonly cited as contributing to TMD?

• A. Occlusion
• B. Posture
• C. Stress
• D. Parafunction

Answer: (A)

How the bite is arranged influences how forces are transmitted through the jaw. Occlusion refers to how the teeth contact each other during rest and function. When there are premature contacts or interferences, or a mismatch between the jaw’s joint position and how the teeth come together, forces can become imbalanced, causing uneven loading of the TMJ and overactivity of the jaw muscles. This altered loading pattern can contribute to temporomandibular disorder symptoms over time. While other factors like posture, stress, and parafunction can influence TMD, the question focuses on the relationship of the teeth meeting, and occlusion is the factor most directly tied to that bite relationship.