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Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether any association exists between malocclusion and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in adults. The sample comprised 4289 adults (2109 men and 2180 women) between the ages of 20 and 81 years, drawn from a population-based study carried out in Western Pomerania in northeastern Germany. Clinical examinations were performed by 8 certified examiners and the interviews conducted by 2 trained and certified assistants. In addition to clinical signs, subjectively perceived symptoms of TMD were studied in each subject, together with malocclusion (or normal occlusion), functional occlusal factors, and sociodemocratic parameters. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used, adjusted for age and discriminated for sex. The results were compared with those of international population-based studies to determine which malocclusions are associated with subjective symptoms and clinical signs of TMD.The results showed that some malocclusions were relevantly clinically associated with signs or symptoms of TMD, but these tended to occur infrequently. Functional occlusion factors were not associated more frequently with signs or symptoms of TMD, malocclusions (and other occlusal and nonocclusal factors) investigated in the study accounted for only a small part of the differences between controls and subjects with signs or symptoms of TMD. Other occlusal and, in particular, nonocclusal variables consequently are likely also to play a role. Compared with other population-based studies, no specific malocclusions were outstanding. Few associations were found between malocclusions and clinical or subjective TMD and none for more frequent associations with occlusal contacts or interferences with functional occlusion. These associations were found not to be consistent. No specific morphological or functional occlusal factors were obvious. The authors attributed this to generally weak associations and to the described methodological differences and deficits. This study was designed to determine whether any association exists between malocclusion and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in adults. The sample comprised 4289 adults (2109 men and 2180 women) between the ages of 20 and 81 years, drawn from a population-based study carried out in Western Pomerania in northeastern Germany. Clinical examinations were performed by 8 certified examiners and the interviews conducted by 2 trained and certified assistants. In addition to clinical signs, subjectively perceived symptoms of TMD were studied in each subject, together with malocclusion (or normal occlusion), functional occlusal factors, and sociodemocratic parameters. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used, adjusted for age and discriminated for sex. The results were compared with those of international population-based studies to determine which malocclusions are associated with subjective symptoms and clinical signs of TMD. The results showed that some malocclusions were relevantly clinically associated with signs or symptoms of TMD, but these tended to occur infrequently. Functional occlusion factors were not associated more frequently with signs or symptoms of TMD, malocclusions (and other occlusal and nonocclusal factors) investigated in the study accounted for only a small part of the differences between controls and subjects with signs or symptoms of TMD. Other occlusal and, in particular, nonocclusal variables consequently are likely also to play a role. Compared with other population-based studies, no specific malocclusions were outstanding. Few associations were found between malocclusions and clinical or subjective TMD and none for more frequent associations with occlusal contacts or interferences with functional occlusion. These associations were found not to be consistent. No specific morphological or functional occlusal factors were obvious. The authors attributed this to generally weak associations and to the described methodological differences and deficits.