Mandibular dysfunction in adolescents II. Prevalence of signs

Abstract

The prevalence of signs of mandibular dysfunction was studied in 285 17-year-old adolescents living in the municipality of Skellefteå. They were subjected to a functional examination of the masticatory system. The commonest clinical signs were tenderness to palpation of the masticatory muscles (41%) and clicking sounds from the temporomandibular joinits (22%). The tenderness to palpation was generally located to the lateral pterygoid muscle and the insertion of the temporal tendon. Girls were tender to palpation oftener (p < 0.05) than boys. Unilateral contact in the retruded position was recorded in 77% of the subjects. Mediotrusion interferences were found in 30% of the subjects. Signs of clinical dysfunction were found in 56% and were significantly commoner in girls than in boys (p < 0.01). Since mild and moderate signs of mandibular dysfunction obviously make an early appearance, a routine dental examination should include a functional evaluation of the stomatognathic system, to identify patients who should be observed more closely.