title: Relationship between overbite/overjet and clicking or crepitus of the temporomandibular joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since occlusal variables such as overbite and overjet have been thought to be associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and joint sounds are some of the most prevalent signs of TMD, the aim of this study was to determine whether overbite and overjet are risk factors for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based cross-sectional study of 3,033 subjects (age range, 10 to 75 years; 53% female) was conducted in Germany. Overbite/overjet, reproducible reciprocal clicking (RRC) during open-close jaw movements that did not occur in the protrusive jaw position, and joint crepitus were assessed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  When age and gender were controlled for, high or low values of overbite and overjet were not associated with a greater risk of RRC and crepitus as compared to a reference category of a normal overbite and overjet of 2 to 3 mm (multiple logistic regression; odds ratios 0.7 to 1.3; P > .05 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that higher or lower overbite or overjet jaw relationships, even extreme values, are not risk factors for TMJ sounds as assessed by clinical examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany. christian.hirsch@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Mike T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Drangsholt
authors.forename: Lloyd A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mancl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001314:Auscultation; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013016:Sound; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*