Dental factors associated with temporomandibular joint sounds.

Dental factors commonly associated with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were investigated in a group of nonpatients. A highly sensitive technique was used to establish the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds. In a discriminant analysis nonworking side interferences, attrition, molar contacts, horizontal range of jaw movement, and morphologic occlusion contributed significantly to the prediction of sounds. Further study of morphologic aspects of the joint and stress-related parafunctions may contribute to the understanding of the development of TMJ sounds. We concluded that TMJ sounds are a fairly common sign associated with mild deviations in certain morphologic and functional aspects of the stomatognathic system.