Analysis of factors influencing the long‐term effect of treatment of TMJ‐pain dysfunction

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A follow-up study on 154 females was performed .apprx. 7 yr after the start of treatment for TMJ [temporomandibular joint-pain dysfunction] pain dysfunction. At the follow-up the function of the patients'' masticatory system had, on average, greatly improved. The individual variation was great, however. The influence of such factors as diagnosis, age, general health, occlusal disharmonies, dentition and social environment on the long-term effect of treatment was analyzed. Patients with TMJ osteoarthrosis had, on average, no more signs or symptoms of dysfunciton at the follow-up than those judged with mainly neuromuscular problems. Poor general health had a negative influence on the immediate response to treatment of TMJ pain dysfunction and on the long-term prognosis. Few correlations were found between occlusal factors and dysfunction. Occlusal interferences showed no correlation to dysfunction at the 1st examination and at the follow-up were mainlycorrelated to some reported symptoms. Loss of molars and premolars was correlated to impaired TMJ-function. Patients with repeated periods of treatment (14%) did not differ from the rest with respect to signs and symptoms of dysfunction at the follow-up. In 8 patients with extremely long periods of treatment general health problems and/or psychosocial factors were evident.