Subjective reactions to intervention with artificial interferences in subjects with and without a history of temporomandibular disorders.
In a previous double-blind randomized controlled study, subjects with a history of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) reacted to artificial interference with more signs of TMD than did subjects with no TMD history. In the present study, we analysed the subjective reactions of these individuals on several symptom scales. Every day during the 2-week follow-up period, the subjects rated the intensity of their symptoms on 9 VAS scales (occlusal discomfort, chewing difficulties, tender teeth, fatigue in the jaws, headache, facial pain, opening difficulty, bruxism, ear symptoms). Subjects with a history of TMD and true interferences reported stronger symptoms than subjects with no TMD history and placebo interferences. The most prominent symptoms were occlusal discomfort and chewing difficulties. The difference in outcome between the groups with and without a TMD history suggests that there are individual differences in vulnerability to occlusal interferences. It is likely that the etiological role of occlusal interferences in TMD has not been correctly addressed in previous studies on artificial interferences.
Le Bell
Yrsa
Y
Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. yrsa.lebell@tyks.fi
Niemi
Päivi M
PM
Jämsä
Tapio
T
Kylmälä
Mervi
M
Alanen
Pentti
P
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003769:Dental Occlusion, Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy