Pain, tenderness, mandibular mobility, and anterior open bite in relation to radiographic erosions in temporomandibular joint disease

Acta Odontol Scand. 1997 Jan;55(1):18-22. doi: 10.3109/00016359709091935.

Abstract

The relationship between radiographic changes and clinical signs and symptoms of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was investigated in 39 patients with joint diseases. Radiographic erosions were found in 33% of the TMJ joints, and overall frequency of radiographic changes including remodeling was 47%. Fifty-four percent of the patients had an anterior open bite (AOB). The AOB showed statistically significant correlation to the extension of erosion of the TMJ. Pain expressed by means of a visual analog scale, tenderness to palpation of the TMJ, and pressure pain threshold showed no significant correlation to erosion, but mandibular mobility showed significant negative correlation to erosive changes. In conclusion, AOB is correlated with erosive radiographic changes in this patient group. However, the degree of local pain and tenderness showed no correlation to radiographic changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bone Remodeling
  • Facial Pain / etiology*
  • Facial Pain / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malocclusion / etiology*
  • Mandible / physiopathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold
  • Palpation
  • Radiography
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / complications
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / physiopathology