Prediction of developing temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients with maxillary dental anomalies

Objective. To describe the basic predictors of developing dysfunction of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with maxillary dental anomalies.

Materials and methods. An open, prospective, controlled clinical experimental study was carried out; 250 patients aged 18 to 35 (mean age 23.5 ± 2.6 years) with maxillary dental anomalies including 134 persons with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and 116 with normal articular function were examined.

Results. A multidimensional disperse analysis permitted to conclude that an extremely high (95–100 %) probability of occurring temporomandibular joint dysfunction is determined with the presence of combination of two and more functional disorders with a complex of other (occlusive and cephalometric) preclinical markers of dysfunction; a high (75–95 %) probability of development – when one functional disorder is associated with a gnathic form of dentition occlusion anomaly; a medium degree (45–75 %) of probability of occurring dysfunction – with the presence of gnathic form of dentition occlusion anomaly with roentgenological changes in TMJ and the absence of functional “signs”; a low (15–45 %) probability – when detecting a dentoalveolar form of occlusion anomaly or dentition anomaly combined with roengenological changes in the joint and the absence of functional disorders; a very low (0–15 %) probability of dysfunction development – with the presence of congested position of incisors, anomalies of separate teeth position in the sagittal plane in the frontal part and the absence of functional disorders.

Conclusions. The knowledge of the above-mentioned predisposing factors (“signs”) of the disturbance of the joint function can be used as an instrument for prediction of the probability of developing the temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients with maxillary dental anomalies.