A study of the occurrence of symptons of disease of the temporomandibular joint masticatory musculature and related structures.

An examination of the temporomandibular joints, masticatory musculature and related structures was made on 1069 persons working in a ship-building yard in the south of Sweden. One-fifth of the persons reported that they had frequent headache and one-fourth of the persons reported TMJ-sounds. Clinical examination of the temporomandibular joints and masticatory musculature showed that clicking of the TMJ was the most common symptom (65%) followed by tenderness of the masticatory musculature to palpation (37%) and tenderness of the temporomandibular joint (10%). Thirty per cent of the persons examined reported two or more of these symptoms. Severe abrasion was noted in 12%. The results of the investigation suggested that the frequency of diseases related to function of the masticatory system is high. It was estimated that some 25-30% of the persons examined were in need of treatment.