مجله دانشکده دندانپزشکی اصفهان (Jan 2007)
Relation of Oral Parafunction Habits and Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders
Abstract
Introduction: Oral parafunction habits are one of the probable etiologies of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Determining prevalence and relation between these habits and TMDs signs and symptoms are very important.Methods and Materials: In a descriptive and cross – sectional study, 325 dental students of Isfahan University of medical sciences were examined clinically. Nine parafunction habits including bruxism, clenching, biting foreign objects (e.g.: pencils), gum chewing, nail biting, sleeping on one side, chewing on one side, Tongue, cheek or lip biting and Leaning on the palm were examined .Relation between these habits and temporomandibular disorders symptoms were examined. The data were analyzed by Spearman test.Results: According to our study, 91% of the students had at least one of the oral parafunction habits. The most prevalent parafunction habits were gum chewing (58%) and sleeping on one side (54%). TMJ noise was the most prevalent TMDs symptom. Clenching, bruxism, chewing on one side, tongue- cheek or lip biting and nail biting had significant correlation with TMDs.Conclusion: Like to some other studies, some parafunction habits correlated to signs and symptoms of TMDs. More attention to diagnosis of these habits and elimination of them is important in prevention and treatment of TMDs.Key words: Oral habits, Temporomandibular disorders, Students (dental)