Relation between functional disturbances of the masticatory system and some anthropometric, physiological and...

The relation between functional disturbances of the masticatory system and anthropometric, physiological and psychological variables was studied in 248 Swedish men, aged 18-25 years. No physiological variables and only a few anthropometric variables were found to be correlated with symptoms of functional disorders or to the state of the dentition. Thus, for example, face height was greater in the presence than in the absence of disturbances of the occlusion (mainly occlusal interferences). The psychological variables were found to be most closely correlated with symptoms of functional disorders and the state of the dentition. Men with clinical dysfunction had a lower general level of intelligence than men without. Social adaptation at school was poor in those who reported parafunctions. Men with parafunctions, frequent headache, general muscle and joint symptoms and balancing side interferences had low emotional stability compared with those without such symptoms. Individuals completely free from symptoms of functional disturbances had high emotional stability.