Occlusal Factors Association with Temporomandibular Joint Tenderness and Dysfunction

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the degree of association between observable signs and symptoms of TMD and occlusal variables in a sample of patients in north of Jordan. Materials and methods: The present study was a cross-sectional, case control study. It was conducted in two major hospitals in the north of Jordan. It was carried out with 83 subjects in the case-group, and 77 subjected in the control-group. The case group (n=83) included 32 males and 51 females aged from 13 to 69 years, and the control group (n=77) included 26 males and 51 females and aged from 13 to 67 years. 83 consecutive pts in the case group complaining from TMD were assessed and examined jointly by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the orthodontist, and then compared to age-matched controls who didn?t suffer any TMD. The prevalence for each occlusal factor in the case-group was found and compared to that in the control group, and the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each occlusal variable. Results: Eight patients (2 females, 6 males) were excluded from the case group, one case suffering scleroderma and 7 cases were under current or previous orthodontic treatment. A total of 75 patients were included in the case-group with a mean age 24.6 years (SD 11.9 y), and 77 patients in the control-group with mean age 24.6 years (SD 11.5y). The most prevalent TMD was myofascial pain and tenderness (65%), followed by abnormal joint clicking and crepitation (59%). The values indicating no statistically difference between the two groups, except for reduced overjet and spacing that were more prevalent in the control group. Conclusion: The present study didn?t show statistically significant difference between the TMD and non-TMD groups in regard to occlusal characteristics, and so supports the weak correlation between occlusion and TMD.