Mediotrusive tooth guidance and temporomandibular joint sounds in non-patients and patients.

In 46 non-patients and 46 patients, the authors examined the presence (+) and the absence (-) of laterotrusive (LG) and mediotrusive (MG) tooth guidance, i.e. dynamic dental articulation events in contrast to static dental occlusion events. During a right and left laterotrusion/mediotrusion of the mandible, the number of compound, mutually exclusive and exhaustive tooth guidance events (possibilities) was six. In addition, the presence and the absence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, provoked TMJ pains, and the associations between TMJ sounds and tooth guidance events were examined. In non-patients, LG+ and MG+ was relatively infrequent (30%) while LG+ and MG- was relatively frequent (70%). In patients, LG+ and MG+ was relatively frequent (58%) while LG+ and MG- was relatively infrequent (42%). LG- and MG+ was absent in non-patients and rare in patients (3%). Either unilateral or bilateral MG+ was relatively infrequent in non-patients (30%) and relatively frequent in patients (59%). Bilateral MG+ was relatively infrequent in non-patients (20%) and relatively frequent in patients (52%). Either unilateral or bilateral TMJ sounds were relatively infrequent in non-patients (39%) and relatively frequent in patients (74%). Either unilateral or bilateral provoked TMJ pains were absent in non-patients and relatively frequent in patients (72%). The authors found no evidence that TMJ sounds were associated with the ipsilateral absence of so-called balancing contacts (MG-) in non-patients and patients. Finally, no evidence supporting the use of a so-called positive predictive value, and "extension concept' of probability theory was found.