Diseases Simulating Temporomandibular Disorders. Pulpitis, Periodontitis, Tooth Root Crack

According to a number of publications [6,7,9,12,14] the frequency of complaints on temporomandibular joints (TMJ) dysfunction ranges from 27 to 76%. Detailed survey may identify related pathologies that can affect the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) (osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, endocrine pathology, psycho-emotional trauma, etc.) and some dental diseases that can simulate TMD [3]. The objective was to detect dental diseases that can simulate temporomandibular disorders. Material and methods. 80 patients with suspected TMD were examined at Prosthetic Dentistry Department at Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University. Some of them got a referral for a consultation from dentists. Results. Patients were divided into two groups. The first one included patients with diagnosed TMD; the second one comprised of patients with other pathology that simulated TMD. Diagnosis of TMD was confirmed in 59 (73.75%) patients among those 80 examined ones. Some other diseases that simulated TMD were detected in 21 (26.25%) patient. We found 6 patients with pulpitis, periodontitis and tooth root crack in the second group. They constituted 28.5% of patients in the second group. Conclusions. At the initial examination a dentist should examine not only the mouth but also the whole dentofacial system. This may help to recognize possible imitation of temporomandibular disorder by molar pulpitis and periodontitis or tooth-root crack. In case of temporomandibular disorder suspicion, pathologies (both of dental and general nature) that can simulate it should be always excluded. ?