Prevalence of different types of temporomandibular disorders seen at armed forces institute of dentistry

ABSTRACT

The temporomandibular joint [TMJ] is a synovial joint that connects the mandible to the skull. Each joint is composed of condyle of the mandible, an articulating disc and an articular fossa of the temporal bone. Temporomandibular joint disorders [TMD's] are characterized by decreased mandibular range of movements, inadequate mouth opening and TMJ sounds such as click, pop, crepitations. TMD's can be classified as masticatory muscle disorders, Temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic mandibular hypomobility disorders and growth disorders. This cross sectional study was carried out in the Prosthodontics department at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi. A total of 140 subjects were evaluated both clinically and radiographically to estimate the prevalence of symptoms of TMDs as a function of age and gender. The most common disorder in the age frame, less than 20 years was found to be disc dislocation with reduction, while disc displacement was the most common disorder in older age groups. Inferior head of lateral pterygoid muscle was most commonly found to be involved in 88.6% individuals, followed by Medial pterygoid muscle that was tender in 82.9% individuals