Association between prosthetic factors and temporomandibular disorders in complete denture wearers.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in denture wearers and the association between prosthetic factors and this condition.

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus about the relationship between prosthetic factors and TMD among denture wearers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample was composed of 92 patients wearing both maxillary and mandibular complete dentures. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) were adopted for patient examination. Objective evaluation of denture quality was determined by analysis of retention and stability of mandibular denture, interocclusal distance, articulation and occlusion. Association between denture quality and TMD diagnosis was analysed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

37.4% of the patients presented TMD. Denture quality was not significantly associated with the presence of TMD: mandibular retention (p = 0.466); mandibular stability (p = 0.466); interocclusal distance (p = 0.328); centric relation (p = 0.175); and balanced occlusion (p = 0.56).

CONCLUSION

Within the scope of this case-controlled cross-sectional study, no robust association between prosthetic factors and TMD was found.