From Research on Occlusion and the Autonomic Nervous System

Occlusal treatment has evolved toward an approach that takes into account communication with the central nervous system. There are as many facial shapes as there are people, and body sizes and builds differ. Our clinic uses each person's measured values, rather than average values, as the basis for treatment targets.

As one starting point for thinking about this, I focused on the strength of the body's ability to maintain homeostasis. For example, when the temperature rises we sweat, and when it falls we shiver. All of these are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This ability to maintain homeostasis functions unconsciously and is completed entirely automatically. The faster these functions respond, the more quickly the body can adapt to its surroundings. People in good health can be said to have precisely this high responsiveness. In the opposite case, one has the feeling that "somehow, I never quite feel well."

My research has gradually revealed that there is a deep relationship between occlusion and these responses (the ability to maintain homeostasis). The techniques for collecting this data are extremely difficult, and the analysis is even more so. However, thanks to the cooperation of many patients and volunteers, we have reached a stage where part of it can be discussed. As most of the data is unpublished, what I can present here is limited, but I would like to share a number of established academic findings.

Source: Karen M. Joos, Mark R. Melson. Chapter 49 - Control of the Pupil. Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System (Third Edition) 2012; 239-242.