[Dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system in tinnitus patients compared to controls].

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The high prevalence of ear, nose and throat symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders seems to depend on anatomical, functional, neuromuscular, or psychosomatic connections between both phenomena. The present study evaluates the prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunctions in tinnitus patients compared to controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 40 patients and 35 controls were clinically examined. The case history as well as the quality of tinnitus and its influence on the patient's life were evaluated, and psychosocial data collected by a questionnaire dealing with stress factors.

RESULTS

Tinnitus patients showed muscle tenderness in masticatory muscles as well as in other muscle groups significantly more frequently than controls. The prevalence of arthrogenous dysfunctions was not significantly different between the groups. Occlusal parameters such as instability of intercuspidation, presence of dysgnathia, and signs of parafunctions were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. The psychosocial assessment showed some trend towards the tinnitus patients feeling more stress in society, daily life, their partnerships and at work.

CONCLUSIONS

Tinnitus correlates significantly with myogenous disorders but not with arthrogenous disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This result supports the concept of neuromuscular and functional relationships between tinnitus and the stomatognathic system.