Retrospective review of 350 patients referred to a TMJ clinic

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Abstract
The records of 350 consecutive patients referred 2.5 yr previously were examined retrospectively for clinical findings, diagnoses and observations related to treatment. There was a good correlation between the severity of symptoms reported by the patients in a questionnaire at the 1st visit and the clinical dysfunction index. The female patients had higher dysfunction index values than the men, while the occlusal index was equally distributed in both sexes. The most frequently used treatment methods were bite planes, occlusal adjustment and jaw exercises. There was a wide variation in the length of the treatment period and number of visits, but the median values for these variables were 3 and 4 mo., respectively, this is encouraging in view of the fact that the duration of the symptoms before the start of treatment was > 6 mo. in 2/3 of the patients. Patients who had reported severe symptoms and those who were in a poor social situation had higher clinic dysfunction index values at the 1st visit, had more visits to the clinic and required a longer treatment period than others; however, they did not differ regarding the evaluation of the clinical situation at termination of treatment.