We evaluated chewing function in 120 patients with TMJ disorders by scoring the ability of dietary intake, assigning scores of 0 to 40 for 20 kinds of food, and by calculating dietary intake rate for each food.
The overall average score was 27.4±9.8 before treatment. The score increased to 36.0±5.6 after treatment.
Evaluation of the score with respect to treatment efficacy showed a significant difference between the group that responded to treatment (37.2±4.9) and the group that did not (33.8± 5.9).
As for the relation to the clinical classification of the Japanese Society of TMJ (1996), the average score before treatment was significantly higher in type III patients with clicking (33.8±6.8) than in other types (23.0 to 26.4). After treatment, there was no significant difference among the types, although the score increased significantly in every type.
Studies of dietary intake rate showed that patients were severely limited in their intake of solid, elastic, and large foods and slightly limited in their intake of soft food before treatment. After treatment, the dietary intake rate increased for all food groups. The rate was almost 100% for group I foods, 88% to 100% for group If, about 80% for group DI, and 68% to 90% for group W. These results showed limitations in intake of solid and elastic foods remained after treatment.
As for dietary intake, chewing function in patients with TMJ disorders improved satisfactorily after treatment, and the evaluation of chewing function may reflect the response to treatment of patients with TMJ disorders.
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