title: Treatment outcome in patients with TMD--a survey of 123 patients referred to specialist care.
abstract: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of functional disorders of the masticatory system. Signs and symptoms of TMD are very common in different age groups in both genders. Treatment need varies greatly, ranging from 5 to 27% of the population. The treatment of TMD patients is generally initiated using reversible conservative methods and if necessary, irreversible and surgical methods are used. Altogether 123 patients (93 females, 30 males, mean age 39 years, range 12 to 72 years) were referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Oulu University Hospital between the years 2005 and 2008. The treatment outcome was evaluated using the anamnestic and clinical dysfunction indices of Helkimo, before and after treatment. The results of the study showed that the outcome of the conservative treatment methods of TMD and of surgical treatment, if needed, was beneficial, with a subjectively and clinically statistically significant decrease in signs and symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, P.O. Box 5281, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Hanna-Leena
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Polso
authors.forename: Ritva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Näpänkangas
authors.forename: Aune M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raustia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002648:Child; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics