The psychosomatic component in prosthodontics.

A classification of psychosomatic symptoms proposed by Whitehead et al. has been discussed. It has been suggested that TMJ dysfunction, the gag reflex, and denture intolerance are representative of the etiologic categories of psychosomatic symptoms, which most often arise from environmental stressors, classic conditioning, or operant conditioning. Operant conditioning is broadly based and the hysteric response may be superimposed on classically conditioned responses such as the gag reflex or the stress-induced muscle tension of TMJ dysfunction.