title: Prevalence of signs of temporomandibular disorders among elderly inhabitants of Helsinki, Finland.
abstract: The prevalence of clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders in 76-, 81-, and 86-year-old subjects living in Helsinki, Finland, were studied, using Helkimo's clinical dysfunction index. In percentage distribution, clinically symptom-free subjects (Di 0) constituted 20% of all those examined, and by percentage the largest group of subjects without signs was that of the oldest men (47%). Women had a higher prevalence of signs of temporomandibular disorders, and only 15% were clinically symptom-free. Four per cent of all those examined had severe symptoms. The commonest signs were impaired range of movement of the mandible and impaired function of the temporomandibular joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiltunen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Kaunisaho
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nevalainen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Närhi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ainamo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*