THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS AND BILATERAL OCCLUSAL CONTACT PATTERNS DURING LATERAL EXCURSIONS

The relationship between signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disor ders (TMD) and bilateral occlusal contact patterns was investigated in 143 TMD patients (mean age: 34.0 +/- 15.9 years; 38 male and 105 fema le). In addition to an interview regarding chief complaints and accomp anying symptoms, various muscles and the temporomandibular joints were palpated bilaterally and occlusal analyses were made. Only 5 out of 1 08 paired variables were found to be significantly associated by using the chi-squared test. Medial pterygoid muscle pain on palpation showe d significant associations with the occlusal contact pattern (P < 0.00 5), especially working side contacts (interocclusal tooth contacts on the working side) (P < 0.005), during contralateral excursions; sterno cleidomastoid muscle pain on palpation showed a significant associatio n with balancing side contacts (interocclusal tooth contacts on the ba lancing side) during ipsilateral excursions P < 0.05); shoulder stiffn ess and pain in the eye showed significant associations with balancing side contacts during contralateral. excursions (P < 0.05). The result s show only a weak relationship between some TMD symptomatology and bi lateral occlusal contact patterns during lateral excursions. The findi ngs suggesting the specific laterality of a few TMD signs and symptoms associated with particular occlusal contacts may deserve closer case- control study.