[Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint diseases in the ambulatory practice]

The temporomandibular joints of 977 students of the Rostock University were examined clinically and radiographically. Objective findings (laterodeviation of the mandible, crackling noises of the joint, radiographic changes of the position of the condyle) were frequently obtained, whereas subjective complaints (arthralgia, crackling noises of the joint) were rare. Only the occurrence of both symptom complexes requires an exact diagnosis and therapy of the temporomandibular joint disease after optimal oral rehabilitation.