ORAL HABITS AND TMJ DYSFUNCTION IN FACIAL-PAIN AND NONPAIN SUBJECTS

Multifactorial theories for facial paid aetiology have been proposed i n the past, although little research has been produced to support a mu ltifactorial aetiology. The present study assessed self-rated oral hab its over a 7 day period for facial pain and nonpain subjects with and without a clinical symptom of TMJ dysfunction. The results indicate a significant effect for TMJ dysfunction and teeth clenching and an inte raction between TMJ dysfunction and facial pain for biting of the lips and mouth. A significant chi-square test showed that most non-pain co ntrols with TMJ dysfunction reported that they never clenched. The res ults are discussed in terms of support for a multifactorial aetiology in some facial pain patients and the need for future research to delin eate subgroups of facial pain and non-pain subjects.