THE EFFECT OF STOMATOGNATHIC TREATMENT - A CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common but complex problems in d entistry, Most patients can be treated Lsing relatively simple methods , such as counselling, splint therapy, and occlusal adjustment. Patien ts who do not respond to conservative treatment may benefit from surgi cal treatment. Ninety-two patients (68 women, 24 men, mean age 36 year s, range 14-74 years) were treated between 1988 and 1990 in the Depart ment of Prosthetic Dentistry and Stomatognathic Physiology, Sixty-two patients, of which 15 were surgically treated, attended for clinical f ollow-up in 1994. Success of treatment was evaluated using the anamnes tic and clinical dysfunction indices of Helkimo. All patients reported that they had benefitted from their treatment. Symptoms of TMD were a lso noted to be clinically less than before. The results of the study reported show that the effects of stomatognathic treatment are benefic ial in long-term, i.e. the patients were subjectively satisfied, and s ymptoms recorded clinically on follow-up were statistically significan tly less than before.