Evaluation of temporomandibular joint status and related signs and symptoms in students of Mashhad dental school

ABSTRACT

In recent years, the number of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders [TMD] is increasing. Considering the increasing number of dental students with TMD, this study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of TMD and its signs and symptoms among the students of Mashhad dental school. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 37 male and 30 female students with ages between 21 to 34 who were in grade 4 to 6 of study in Mashhad dental school were randomly selected and examined for TMD and its signs and symptoms. The data were analyzed using Chi square test. The prevalence of TMD was 51.5% totally, among which 34.8% had disc displacement, 3% had masticatorymuscle disorder and 13.6% had both of them. Joint clicking was the most frequent symptom [32.4%] followed by muscle pain and tenderness [26.5%]. There was no statistical difference between males and females in TMD frequency. [P-value=0.307]. Among the dental students, TMD frequency was rather high and disc displacement was more frequent than masticatory muscle disorder. The most common signs and symptoms were joint clicking followed by tenderness and muscle pain