2018 Volume 38 Issue 1-2 Pages 26-33
This retrospective study was conducted to investigate excessive functional force resulting in mechanical stress and its effect on stomatognathic system. Of cases where signs of mechanical stress were observed, some presented oral exostosis while others did not. This suggests individual differences in biological response to such mechanical stress. The subjects of this study, 120 patients with suspected temporomandibular disorders, were investigated on clinical signs of and biological response to the mechanical stress. The result presented the difference in degrees of selfawareness to temporomandibular disorders. In addition, some of the patients with no symptoms of temporomandibular disorders presented exostosis or abnormality in teeth or periodontal tissues. As such, in some cases stomatognathic system was adapted to excessive mechanical stress, consuming the stress by breaking down the proximal tissues; while in other instances the organism physically reinforces itself in response to the stress. This difference need be taken into consideration in treatment planning when treating temporomandibular parafunctions and controlling tooth contacting habit. If this kind of investigation could be conducted at multiple clinics, mechanisms of different symptoms may be revealed and more effective treatment may be provided.
