The incidence of osteo-arthritis of the temporomandibular joint in various cultures.
Three hundred and forty-eight cranial remains from Bronze and Iron Age British, Romano-British, Anglo-Saxon, Eastern Coast Australian aborigines, Medieval Christian Norse, Medieval Scarborough, 17--20th century British and German cultures, were examined for the presence of osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joints. Cultures exposed to more stringent living conditions and with well-worn teeth had about twice the incidence of osteo-arthritis as the more sophisticated cultures. In general, loss of either molar support or occlusal imbalance were potent aetiological factors in this disease.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000503:physiopathology; D003469:Culture; D005858:Germany; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010012:Osteogenesis; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006113:United Kingdom