ABSTRACT
Chewing-side preference is one of the risk factors for temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and people with chewing-side preference is more prone to have short and displaced condyles, increased articular eminence inclination and glenoid fossa depth. The proportion of TMD patients with chewing-side preference is often higher than that of the normal subjects. Clinical studies have shown a strong correlation between chewing-side preference and TMD symptoms and signs; and animal studies have shown that chewing-side preference can affect the growth, development, damage and repair of the mandible. After long-term unilateral mastication, changes in the stress within the joint cause the imbalance of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structural reconstruction, the transformation and even destruction of the fiber structure of masticatory muscle, resulting in uncoordinated movement of bilateral muscles. The joint neurogenic diseases caused by the increase of neuropeptide substance P and calcitonin-gene-related-peptide (CGRP) released locally by TMJ may be the mechanism of TMD. This article reviews the research progress of the influence of chewing-side preference on the structure of TMJ, the relationship between chewing-side preference and TMD, and the related mechanisms.