Clinical aspects of temporomandibular disorders

Temporomandibular disorders are common problems in populations presenting signs and symptoms of muscle and joint pain on palpation, joint sounds, pain and locking on mandibular function as well as dental, periodontal, occlusal and psychosocial variables. Problems that involve the temporomandibular joint and related structures include myofacial pain-dysfunction, various internal disarrangements of the joint space and degenerative joint diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of age and sex, the frequency of parafunctions, deviations and the cardinal symptoms related to specific disorders of the TMJ. Patients seeking treatment for temporomandibular disorders were reviewed retrospectively. The data were analysed using the Chi-square test and Kappa coefficient. Clinical evaluations and subsequent patient management are discussed. The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders was highest in the age range 20 to 49. Although women had a higher incidence of positive findings when the types of TMD were analysed, statistically no differences between the sexes were found (p<0.001).