title: The occlusal imaging and analysis system by T-scan III in tinnitus patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in tinnitus patients ranges from 7% to 95%, and it is reported in literature that idiopathic tinnitus patients should be referred to a dentist to define whether or not the tinnitus is associated with TMD. However, the possible pathophysiological relation between TMDs and tinnitus is not generally investigated in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patterns and forces of occlusal contacts have been studied by means of T-scan III in 47 tinnitus patients (23 suffering from idiopathic tinnitus and 24 affected by Ménière disease [MD]) and 13 healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The center of force target was offset in the opposite direction in 15/23 idiopathic tinnitus and in 7/24 MD patients (p = 0.026). No significant variation was found in the occlusal force.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that a diagnostic screening method for occlusal stability in the intercuspidal position might be clinically useful in idiopathic tinnitus patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, Audiology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: federica.diberardino@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Berardino
authors.affiliation: S.I.T.R.A. Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Filipponi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, Audiology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schiappadori
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, Audiology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, Audiology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, Audiology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cesarani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001732:Bite Force; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Dental occlusion; Idiopathic tinnitus; Ménière disease; T-scan