Relationship between signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction in adolescents.

The relationship between signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction was studied in 285 17-yr-old adolescents living in the municipality of Skellefteå, Sweden. Of the sample 62% had either some sign or symptom of dysfunction, and there was a positive correlation (P less than 0.05) between the two indices used. Neither morphologic nor functional malocclusions were related to the anamnestic dysfunction index. Signs of mandibular dysfunction were significantly more frequently found in those with a feeling of fatigue in the jaw (P less than 0.001). TMJ sounds were related to palpation tenderness in the lateral pterygoid muscle and to impaired horizontal mobility of the mandible. The most frequent symptom related to various signs of mandibular dysfunction was feeling of fatigue in the jaws which suggests that this is an early symptom of muscular origin that should be observed more closely. The study supports the view that even a moderate reduction of mouth opening capacity may indicate mandibular dysfunction and we recommend that this variable be routinely recorded.