2024 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 40-48
Purpose: This study examined the pathological classification of patients with occlusal discomfort syndrome (ODS) and the influencing factors involved in the pathological condition.
Objective: The subjects were 72 patients who complained of occlusal discomfort out of 272 patients who visited the specialized outpatient clinic at Kanagawa Dental University Hospital between January 17, 2012 and December 7, 2021.
Method: A medical interview was conducted based on the pre-examination chart, structured interview, the trigger for the onset of symptoms, and the results of examinations of occlusion and temporomandibular joints. Classification of ODS based on the pathological condition was performed, and modifiers were extracted from the obtained background of each patient, and the level of its strength was evaluated.
Results: The 72 subjects selected according to the ODS definition included 15 males (mean age 51.8±16.1) and 57 females (mean age 54.4±11.7).
The pathology could be classified into ODS due to occlusal disorder (ODS type I), ODS due to temporomandibular joint disorder (ODS type II), and ODS due to oral psychosomatic disorder (ODS type III). The frequency was 46% for ODS type I, 10% for type II, and 44% for type III. The influencing factors were classified into (1) psychosocial environmental factors, (2) patient-dentist relationship factors, (3) personality tendency factors, (4) psychological factors, (5) other factors, and (6) none, and their involvement levels were ODS I, II, and III. Significant differences in proportion of the factors were observed between the types.
Conclusion: The pathological classification of ODS was clarified, and the results suggested the importance of evaluating its influencing factors and their level.
