Functional Disorders of the Masticatory System I. Distribution of Symptoms According to Age and Sex as Judged from Investigation by Questionnaire

Abstract

A random sample of every 35th individual, aged 15–74 years, and residing in the Swedish city of Umei was investigated by questionnaire regarding the frequency of functional disorders of the masticatory apparatus and certain associated factors. of the 1, 215 persons invited, 1, 106 (91 %) cooperated. Facial pain and headache was reported by 24 %. Pain on gaping was localised mainly to the temporomandibular area and wasnoted in 12 %, equally often in miles as in females. the range of movement of the mandible was reported as impaired by 7 %, and somewhat more often by females than by males. Clicking and crepitation of the temporomandibular joints was reported by 39%, somewhat more often by females. Women also had presently and earlier symptoms of dysfunction of the masticatory system more often and had sought advice more often, than men. Pain on movement of the mandible was more common among younger individuals, while other symptoms of dysfunction were relatively equally common in all age groups. Oral parafunctions, such as grinding and clenching of the teeth, biting of the cheek, lip and tongue, and nailbiting, were also reported for. Pain and symptoms of dysfunction of the masticatory system were thus relatively common in the population examined and their sex-and age distribution was clearly more even than in clinical series on record. So far, patients with such symptoms have been treated mainly in special clinics. In view of the high frequency of these disorders the practising dentist should focus more interest on the diagnosis and treatment of simple cases of functional disorders of the masticatory apparatus.