The effect of age on distribution and symptomatology of craniomandibular dysfunction

Abstract

Craniomandibular dysfunction is very common disorder of the oral and facial system and therefore a significant problem in dental practice. The etiology of this disorder is very complex and variable including congenital disorders and developmental abnormalities, traumas in the area of face and jaw, unbalanced occlusion, systemic and local diseases or psychogenic factors. The symptoms can be very different and vary in intensity and duration from person to person, often are in correlation with other oral para-functions. The intensity of symptoms is usually associated with gender or age of the patients. Elderly population is particularly interesting because these changes occur in addition to atrophic and degenerative changes in temporomandibular joint (TMJ), multiple teeth loss, present dentures, limitation of physical activity and others. Research conducted in many European countries have shown that the pain in TMJ is one of the most dominate symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction and it often occurs in males. However, it is not easy to prove more frequent presence of dysfunction in the elderly people.

Keywords

• age
• craniomandibular dysfunction