Cheek Bite Keratosis among Temporomandibular Disorder Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Cheek biting commonly reported by patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This cheek biting may cause cheek bite keratosis. This research aims to study the prevalence of cheek bite keratosis among TMD patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 373 TMD patients seen in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clinic by one TMJ specialist since 2013. Convenient sampling technique was followed where all screened patients having TMDs were included in the study. Results: TMD patients who have cheek-bite keratosis are 226 patients (60.6%). Female TMD patients are the majority (75.60%) and 78.8% of TMD patients with cheek bite keratosis were female. The highest number of TMD patients (4.6%) was at the age of 20 years old. Conclusion: Cheek bite keratosis is an important sign for TMD screening for the general dentist in the first dental visit. Dentist who finds cheek bite keratosis during intraoral examination advised to ask more screening questions and do more clinical examination for TMDs.