Of. Molina et J. Dos Santos, The prevalence of some joint disorders in craniomandibular disorder (CMD) and bruxers as compared to CMD nonbruxer patients and controls, CRANIO, 17(1), 1999, pp. 17-29
The objective of this study was to assess and compare the frequency of some
joint disorders in 130 CMD+bruxing behavior patients, 66 CMD/nonbruxing be
haviors patients referred for diagnosis and treatment to the Center for the
Study of Craniomandibular Disorders and 130 control subjects seeking routi
ne dental care. Both patients and controls were consecutive referrals to th
e clinic occurring over a five year period. The mean age of the CMD+bruxing
behavior group was about 35.48 years (range 14-54, SD = 8.45), and 36.84 y
ears (range 17-60, SD = 9.30) in the 66 CMD nonbruxing behavior group, and
34.34 years (range 14-62, SD = 9.92) in the control group of 130 subjects,
Information gathered included a questionnaire, history of signs and symptom
s, and a clinical examination. Different types of joint disorders, muscle s
igns and symptoms and bruxing behavior were assessed in the CMD groups and
in the corresponding control group. The study concluded that capsulitis/syn
ovitis, retrodiskal pain and disk-attachment pain predominated in CMD+bruxi
ng behavior patients. The data reinforces the need to assess CMD+bruxing be
havior patients to evaluate signs and symptoms of such disorders in order t
o obtain additional information about the true source of pain and the need
for proper management.