Distress, jaw habits, and connective tissue laxity as predisposing factors to TMJ sounds in adolescents.

Immediately before a craniomandibular examination and measurement of wrist laxity, 96 adolescents answered a questionnaire about jaw habits, jaw activities, symptoms of stress, facial trauma, and TMJ sounds. The sample was divided into five subgroups on the basis of history and stethoscopically detected TMJ sounds. Some groups with TMJ sounds had significantly more jaw habits, jaw activities, and symptoms of stress than the control group (without history and clinically detected TMJ sounds). No significant differences emerged in angular measurement of wrist laxity between groups with TMJ sounds and the control group. This preliminary study indicates that an adolescent's distress may be associated with TMJ sounds. Further studies on subgroups of adolescents with different TMJ-related symptoms and signs are urged.