The relationship of temporomandibular disorders with Class II malocclusion as a risk factor

Abstract

Objectives: The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) play a fundamental role in mastication, deglutition, speech, and even respiration. Thus, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) can affect the quality of life, especially if they become chronic. Considering the controversy regarding the etiology of the TMDs, this study aimed to assess the relationship of TMDs with dental malocclusion. Materials and Methods: Totally, 885 dentate patients between 18 years and 60 years with complete dental records and no condylar ankylosis, history of trauma, bruxism, clenching, or congenital TMJ anomalies participated in this study. Tenderness on palpation, clicking, crepitus, pain, deviation on mouth opening, open bite, deep bite, cross bite, and class of malocclusion (I, II or III) were recorded for all patients. Results: Of patients, 60.2% were males and 39.8% were females. Gender had no correlation with TMDs. Patients had a mean age of 34.8 years. Age had no correlation with TMDs. Of TMD symptoms, clicking had the highest frequency (23.3%) followed by deviation on mouth opening (10.6%), pain at the mouth opening (2.9%), tenderness on palpation (1.4%), trismus (1.2%), and crepitus (1.1%). Of patients, 76.7% were Class I, 13.8% were Class II, and 6.2% were Class III. Less than 2% of patients had deep bite, open bite, or cross bite. Conclusion: TMDs had a relatively high prevalence (35%) in our study population. Age, gender, and class of malocclusion had no correlation with TMDs; however, Class II malocclusion was slightly more prevalent among TMD patients, which needs to be taken into account by patients and orthodontists.