FREQUENCY OF COMMON SIGNS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH REDUCED OCCLUSAL SUPPORT DUE TO PARTIAL EDENTULISM

Abstract

The Objective of this study was to determine the frequency of common signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in subjects with partial edentulism.

This cross sectional (descriptive) study was conducted at the department of Prosthodontics, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. Relevant history was recorded. Patients were screened for the presence of signs of TMD. Detailed intraoral and extra oral examination was carried out using standardized technique of inspection, palpation and percussion along with measurement of mouth opening. Patients were checked for facial pain by palpation, mouth opening and jaw sounds.

A total of 143 Prosthodontic patients in which males were 78 and females were 65. The mean age was 42.6016.42 years. The mean number of missing teeth was 9.386.90. TMJ sound was the most common signs of TMDs in this sample of patients. Fifty seven (39.9%) patients reported clicking sound of TMJ, 42(29.4%) had muscles tenderness, 27(18.9%) had restricted mouth opening and 21(14.7%) had mandibular deviation. As the number of missing teeth increases the increase frequency of signs of TMDs were found. The highest frequency of signs of TMDs was found in patients having more than 20 missing teeth. All signs of TMDS when stratified by number of missing teeth were statistically significant except the mandibular deviation.

Patients having reduced occlusal support due to partial edentulism have higher prevalence of signs of temporomandibular disorders. So, within the limitations of this study it can be concluded that the preservation and replacement of missing teeth may help in prevention of TMDs.