title: Disorders in TMJ research.
abstract: Epidemiologic studies on TMJ dysfunction etiology often suffer from methodological shortcomings. The problems may partially arise from the fact that the study subject cannot be separated from the "real world" for analyses in the same sense as in classical experimental research. A thorough discussion on the scientific principles in TMJ research is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Alanen
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kirveskari
mesh_terms: D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*