Clinical findings in temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis.

The clinical findings in 20 patients with TMJ-crepitation (E1-group) and 19 patients with TMJ palpatory tenderness (E2-group) have been compared with the findings in 29 other patients with mandibular dysfunction (R-group). The patients underwent a clinical examination of the masticatory system and of the second distal interphalangeal joints (DIP II joints). No statistically significant differences could be found between groups with respect to clinical signs, occlusal interferences, or dental attrition. Loss of molar support was found to be significantly more frequent in the E1-group than in the R-group. The frequency of tenderness to palpation or pain on movement of DIP II joints was significantly higher in the E2-group than in the R-group. Periarticular bony swelling of DIP II joints was significantly correlated with TMJ-crepitation. The patients with TMJ-crepitation were considered to have TMJ-osteoarthrosis. The results of the present study indicate that patients with TMJ-OZ have a similar clinical picture to other patients with mandibular dysfunction and that molar loss plays a role in the etiology of TMJ-OA.