[Impaired occlusion is the main etiological factor in the occurrence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction].

A homogeneous group of 104 subjects aged 21-34 years was examined. Forty-nine (47%) subjects (study group) presented with symptoms of abnormalities of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint, 58 subjects (53%) without such symptoms were controls. Clinical examination was carried out with evaluation of occlusion, Angle's [correction of Engle's] class, and analysis of dental contacts in the oral cavity in different types of occlusion. Disorders of occlusion were detected in 31% of controls and in 73% patients in the study group. Disorders of occlusion correlated with the number of symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The detected super-contacts of teeth are the main etiological factors leading first to discoordination of the masticatory muscles and then to functional disorders of the temporomandibular joint.