The prevalence of mandibular dysfunction. Part I: Sex and age distribution of related signs and symptoms.

This study concludes the following: 1. Mandibular dysfunction is extensive. 2. Age and sex differences are apparent with various signs and symptoms. 3. Women and younger patients tend to respond positively more often than men and older patients to questions relating to subjective TMJ and muscle symptoms. 4. Objective TMJ and occlusal signs show little age or sex differentiation. 5. Positive responses to questions regarding bruxism were more common in men. 6. Age and sex differences in the prevalence of mandibular dysfunction may be influenced by the method of investigation (anamnestic versus clinical examination) and by the signs and symptoms selected to be representative of this disorder. When compared with the findings of earlier investigations, the conclusions suggest that social, cultural, psychologic, sex, and age differences contribute to the responses to questions pertaining to mandibular dysfunction. However, this may not be an accurate reflection of the prevalence of mandibular dysfunction since the objective signs do not show the age and sex differences that the subjective symptoms indicate. Therefore, additional studies are needed to correlate all data to establish a more reliable profile of both signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction.