Masticatory behavior in individuals with temporomandibular disorders

Masticatory behavior was investigated in a group of patients presenting with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and compared with a Control Group. The goal of study was also to assess if patients were capable of making judgements about chewing difficulties and intensity of pain.

A comprehensive examination protocol was used to gather data about signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. Subjects under study were instructed to chew and images were recorded in a videocassette for further analysis. We used a category scale to evaluate intensity of pain and chewing difficulties in a group of 23 TMD patients and 23 controls independent of age, sex or socioeconomic status. Full dentures wearers were not included in this study.

The results of this investigation demonstrated that the frequencies of difficulties to open the mouth wide, unilateral chewing and chewing difficulties were significantly more prevalent in the group of TMD patients as compared to the control. Bruxing behavior was more prevalent in TMD patients and the time to eat a cookie was significantly longer. Subjects were capable of making judgements about severity of pain and chewing difficulties. In the TMD Group, average of both judgements were the same or close when subgroups were divided according to chewing preference and location of pain.

Based on the results of this study, we concluded that the chewing pattern in TMD patients cannot solely be considered as a response to the location of pain and dysfunction.