Abstract
The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome among high-school students in Tokyo. The subjects were 1434 students (718 boys and 625 girls).
The TMJ dysfunction syndrome has been defined as the prevalence of one of more of the following three signs: (a) sounds during condyle movements, (b) limitation of mandibular movement, (c) pain in the region of the muscles for mastication and the temporomandibular joints (TMJ).
The results obtained were as follows:
1. The prevalence of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome on these subjects in Tokyo was 17.4%,15.4% in boys and 19.4% in girls. There was no statistically significance defference between the sexes.
2. The prevalence of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome was found to the difference among schools.
3. The greatest prevalent sign of the three signs was sound.
4. As to the form of the signs, the single sign had greater prevalence than the combined signs. In those subjects with combined signs, girls showed greater prevalence than boys.
5. The prevalence of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome increased and took a turn for the worse at the third-year.
