Results of a clinicopsychological study of diseases of the temporomandibular joint.
Patients' complaints relating to disorders of the temporomandibular joint appear to be becoming more frequent and to be occurring in younger age groups. In many cases no organic cause affecting the joint or the masticatory system can be identified as the sole cause of the symptoms. An investigation was therefore undertaken to determine whether psychological causes might also be implicated. Two questionnaires were used to establish a complete picture of patients from a number of countries who suffered from disorders of the temporomandibular joint. The first questionnaire sought particulars of the dental condition, family status, type of education, satisfaction with job and pay etc. The second was a personality questionnaire which had originally been prepared for the Olympic Games in Munich. Although the extensive data collected has not yet been fully evaluated it is clear that in addition to the well established dental causes such as shortened dental arches, deep overbite and cuspal interferences, a psychosomatic element is superimposed in many cases. It is hoped to develop a means by which those whose symptoms require a psychotherapeutic approach, either alone or in conjunction with dental treatment, can be identified.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000523:psychology