Functional disorders of the masticatory system II. Symptoms in relation to impaired mobility of the mandible as judged from investigation by questionnaire

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Abstract
This study is a continued analysis of answers obtained from 1106 (91 %) of 1215 randomly selected persons. Indices were devised on the basis of answers to elucidate the occurrence of different functional disorders of the masticatory system and of some general and oral conditions. AH these indices invariably showed higher values for women than for men. The differences were, however, numerically small. A single symptom of dysfunction was found in 57 %, combinations of 2 or more in 30 %. Every second subject was aware of some kind of orofacial parafunction, every third of general joint and muscle symptoms. Impaired mandibular mobility was most common in elderly persons; functional pain in the youngest age group. Impaired mobility was negatively correlated with the number of residual teeth. Functional pain was associated with orofacial parafunctions. Of the possible aetiological factors analysed in the present investigation general state of health and general muscle and joint symptoms were most closely correlated with impaired mandibular mobility, while orofacial parafunctions and temporomandibular joint sounds were most closely correlated with functional pain. The findings suggest that symptoms of functional disorders of the masticatory system are common and that they are of heterogeneous aetiological background.