Retrospective study of a series of 850 patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Clinical and radiological findings.

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical and radiological characteristics of the four most common presentations of temporomandibular dysfunction-myofascial pain (MFP), disc displacement with reduction (DDWR), disc displacement without reduction (DDWoR), and osteoarthrosis (OR)-and to identify the differences among them.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised a series of 850 patients (121 males and 729 females) seen between May 2003 and December 2006 in Valencia University General Hospital (Valencia, Spain) for temporomandibular joint disease (TMJD). An analysis was made of the possible etiological factors (stress, traumatisms, sleep disturbances, parafunctional habits, reason for consultation), possible pain sensations in response to palpation of the masticatory muscles, joint sounds, etc. A panoramic X-ray study was made on a routine basis, and in some patients (n = 54) the study was completed with a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the temporomandibular joints and related tissues. The differences between qualitative variables were examined by means of the chi-square test with R x C contingency tables and the Z-test, while quantitative variables were contrasted by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc testing (Scheffe).

RESULTS

The variables showing statistically significant differences among the four diagnostic categories were: patient age, sleep disturbances, stress, parafunctional habits, nibbling on hard objects and "other parafunctions", reason for consultation, mandibular movements, "non-evaluable" molar and canine relationship, ligament hyperlaxity, and panoramic X-ray alterations.