Association of temporomandibular joint sounds with malocclusion

ABSTRACT

Temporomandibularjoint disorder is a multi-factorial condition affecting the joint or muscles of the jaw. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine association oftemporomandibular joint [TMJ] sounds with various categories ofmalocclusions. 384 subjects, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study, were clinically examined for the presence or absence of temporomandibular joint sounds and type ofmalocclusion. A Chi-Square test [p < 0.05] was used to find any significant association of TMJ sounds with different categories ofmalocclusion. Joint sounds were found to be present in 100 [26%] subjects. Joint sound were present in 55 [22.6%] subjects with Class I malocclusion, 36 [32%] subjects with Class II malocclusion and only 9 [31%] subjects with Class III malocclusion. Chi- Square test revealed no significant association of TMJ sounds with malocclusion or gender. TMJ sounds can be a frequent finding in healthy individuals with no other symptoms ofTMD. In the light of results of current study and other recent studies that have been carried out around the globe, it can be concluded that clicking itself is not indication of any active disease and it can rarely progress to any significant clinical problem, so there needless management must be avoided