None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) affect the articulatory system, consisting of the temporomandibular joints, mandibular muscles and occlusion. TMDs can result in pain and disability and can affect daily activities, quality of life and psychological wellbeing. Several studies have shown that multiple factors such as trauma to the teeth or jaw, bruxism, stress and anxiety contribute towards TMDs. Until now, the screening of TMDs has been based on indirect and subjective measures. However, so far, no studies have used jaw opening forces as a screening tool for diagnosing TMDs. Jaw movements are the only parameters that can be objectively recorded and measured. Jaw opening is important not only as a record of the severity of the TMDs being investigated but also as an indication of the rate and degree of improvement. This study will focus on the maximum jaw opening forces in subjects diagnosed with a TMD and would provide a quantitative diagnostic tool to screen temporomandibular disorders. The maximum jaw opening forces in patients diagnosed with certain TMDs will be measured during their initial visit to the clinic using a rigid jaw opening measuring system. The patient would normally receive treatment depending on the severity of the temporomandibular disorder. Following treatment, the maximum jaw opening forces for each patient will be measured during their review appointments at 1, 3 and 6 months.
Interventions
Diagnosis will be carried out by the TMD specialist by careful evaluation of the history and detailed examination of the masticatory apparatus according to the TMD diagnostic questionnaire used in the TMJ clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago. Patients will be divided into three categories based on the TMD diagnosis (Myofacial pain, disc dislocation and both of the above). The maximum jaw opening forces in patients diagnosed with the TMDs included in the study will be measured
Diagnosis will be carried out by the TMD specialist by careful evaluation of the history and detailed examination of the masticatory apparatus according to the TMD diagnostic questionnaire used in the TMJ clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago. Patients will be divided into three categories based on the TMD diagnosis (Myofacial pain, disc dislocation and both of the above). The maximum jaw opening forces in patients diagnosed with the TMDs included in the study will be measured during their initial visit to the clinic. Patients who have given informed consent to be involved in the study will be asked to attend a 20-30min session where they will wear a head device designed to measure jaw opening forces. The device is connected to a data-capture system . After device placement, participants will be asked to open their jaw a few times so they get used to the equipment. With their jaws held together in centric position, participants will then be asked to attempt open their jaws as forcefully as possible for 2 seconds 7 times, pausing for a 10 second interval between each attempt. The jaw opening forces will then be recorded in the data capture system. During this visit, the patient would normally receive treatment depending on the severity of the TMD. Following treatment, the maximum jaw opening forces for each patient will be measured during their review appointments at 1, 3 and 6 months.
Sponsors
University of Otago
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
20 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for TMD patients: Patients with myofacial pain, patients with temporomandibular joint pain and patients having both myofacial pain and temporomandibular joint pain. Males and females ageing (18 - onwards) of all ethnicities will be invited to participate. Inclusion criteria for healthy subjects: Subjects who has good general and oral health (subjects who does not have myofacial pain and temporo-mandibular joint disorders). Males and females aging 20- onwards of all ethnicities will be invited to participate.
Exclusion criteria
TMD patients: Patients with osteoarthritis Control group: Subjects who have myofacial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Outcome results
None listed