Correlation between various investigation methods of stomatognatic dysfunction.

The aim of this communication is to analyze the correlation between the stomatognathic and cervical muscular system testing, the analysis of tomography and the kinesiographic survey. The study has been done on 78 clinically healthy patients (24 males and 54 females) aged between 21 and 71, presenting various forms of stomatognathic system dysfunctions. The anamnesis comprised the Slavicek questionnaire as well. Within the complex clinical examination the classical clinical investigation of the masticatory muscles and the TMJ has been supplemented by masticatory muscles, cervical spine and shoulder girdle tests (AROM, PROM and resistive muscle tests). These tests have been correlated with the results of the 468 tomogram analyses and kinesiography surveys for test movements (780 traces) and for functional movements (156 records). The analysis of tomograms has shown the dimensional asymmetry of the articular elements and the asymmetry of the relationship between these elements in various position. These asymmetries are correlated to the alteration of the kinesiographic tracings. The variations of the articular gap and the P2 and P3 values are correlated in a very interesting way with the kinesiographic record but also with the symptoms of muscular dysfunction. The asymmetric condylar movements are reflected in the asymmetry of the muscular contractions, put into evidence through the insufficient response to AROM (78%), PROM (62%), resistive muscle tests (8%) for the masticatory muscles and cervical spine (22%). These results suggest the opportunity of extending the clinical examination at least in the cervical area.