Temporomandibular joint disorder predisposing factors and clicking

ABSTRACT

This study includes 450 patients, 271 females and 179 males, ages between 13-65 years. The Helkimo index for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) diagnosis was used to quantitatively evaluate the signs and symptoms of the disorder. Clicking of the joint was diagnosed by using stethoscope. Parafunctional activity, previous trauma, missing teeth, angle's classification, crossbite, overbite and overjet were assessed and considered as variables in this research. SPSS with chi square test and Pearson's coefficient correlation were used for statistical analysis. The results of this study show no association between clicking, parafunctional habits, unilateral chewing, previous trauma, angle's classification, crossbite, overbite and overjet. These result coincide the hypothesis that the exact etiology of TMDs is still obscure and the lack of a clear single cause of TMD, specially clicking, has resulted in the proposal of a multifactorial etiology for TMD.