A Clinical Study of Stomatognathic Dysfunction

Abstract

Patients with stomatognathic dysfunction were evaluated in terms of subjective symptoms, premature contact in the centric position, amount of mandibular movement, the maximum amount of opening, pulpation of the muscles and temporomandibular joint, arthrosound and Helkimo Index, and the following results were obtained:
1. Clicking was the most common subjective symptom, accounting for 34.5% of all the cases.
2. The dominant site of premature contact in the centric position was the left molar region.
3. The maximum average distances of protrusive movement were 8.6 mm±2.4 mm for men and 8.5 mm±3.3 mm for women. The maximum distances of right and left lateral movements averaged 7.9 mm±3.3 mm and 8.2 mm±2.9 mm for men and 7.2 mm±1.8 mm, respectively.
4. The maximum average amounts of opening were 47.6 mm±7.8 mm for men and 44.1 mm±5.7 mm for women.
5. The palpation of the muscles and temporomandibular joints revealed multiple tender pain points deep in the external and internal pterygoid and masseter muscles.
6. The exmination of arthrosound showed tender pain in the temporomandibular joint and muscles on the side demonstrating clicking.
7. Premature contact in the centric position had some correlation with pain points in the muscles, and also correlated with clicking
8. The calculations of Helkimo Index are considered effective for the judgement of stmatognathic dysfunction.