Evaluation of Symptoms and Recovery in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Referred to Occlusion Department in Mashhad Dental School

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are defined as clinical conditions that involve the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or both. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between symptoms and recovery in patients with TMD. In this cross-sectional study, 165 records of patients with TMD referring to the Department of Occlusion, Mashhad Dental School from 2012 to 2017 were surveyed. Before the clinical examination, all the patients completed a questionnaire on their personal data and symptoms of joint disorders. All the patients were contacted and data were collected about the decrease in symptoms of joint disorder or its health. The treatment outcomes were characterized by a lack of recovery and improvements in joint symptoms. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18, using chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests (α = 0.05). The records belonged to 53 men (32.1%) and 112 women (67.9%). The mean age of the subjects was 31.7 ± 13.6 years. The youngest and oldest subjects were 12 and 70 years of age, respectively. The number of women experiencing improvements was higher than men, but the difference was not statistically significant (p value = 0.145). Patients with joint clicks during mastication or mouth opening experienced significant improvements compared to those without these clicks (p value = 0.05). In general, use of conservative methods for the treatment of TMJ disorders is recommended. These therapies can be useful for all the individuals with TMD, regardless of variables such as age, sex, symptoms and habits