Temporomandibular dissorder signs and symptoms and dental practitioners awareness

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD in dental patients attending Yeditepe University Dental Hospital trough a simple 5 minute diagnostic procedure and also determine awareness of dental practitioner regarding TMD signs and symptoms.Study Design: After the general scanning done in Oral Diagnosis Department, 300 patients attending Yeditepe University Dental Hospital were examined trough 5 minute diagnostic TMD exam. The exam was performed according to AAOP guidelines for general screening for TMD and included anamnestic questions and brief clinical examination of patients. Anamnestic questions regarding the most important symptoms of TMD were used. All study participants were clinically examined including observation of mandibular movement, digital palpation of masticatory muscles, palpation over the preauricular TMJ area and palpation from external auditory meatus. Findings were compared with the general dental scanning findings done by Oral Diagnosis Department.Results:Anamnestic data demonstrated that the joint sounds was the symptom, most frequently reported. Severe TMJ disfunction and restricted movement were infrequent complaints. Clinical data showed that the commonest clinical findings were joint souns and ?S `type?deviation during opening, while restricted range of motion was the most rare finding. Women indicated a statistically higher prevalence of ?S?type?deviation during opening, TMJ pain on palpation and masticatory muscle pain on palpation. %43 of subjects exhibited at least one of subjective TMD symptoms, and %89 were found to exhibit at least one of clinical TMD signs. General dental scanning records showed that TMD signs and symptoms were noted in just % 2 of subjects who actually presented with TMD or parafunction complaints.Conclusion: Findings of high prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, urge the need to review certaign routine diagnostic procedures. A comprehensive dental examination should include at least a short screening evaluation of TMJ and surrounding areaKey words: Temporomandibular Dissorders, sign, symptom, dental practitioner