Signs and symptoms in samples with and without temporomandibular disorders.

Factors commonly associated with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder were investigated in two groups. The patient group consisted of 41 subjects seeking treatment at the UCSF Temporomandibular Disorders Clinic, and the control group consisted of 40 incoming and first-year students. Questionnaires and clinical examinations were used to identify and measure factors in the areas of history, functional signs, and occlusion. Only four factors emerged as statistically significant between groups: frequent headaches, masticatory muscle tenderness, cervical muscle tenderness, and maximum opening.