A clinical study of joint sounds in subjects with restored occlusions

It has been implied that temporomandibular joint sounds must be treated to eliminate the sounds before restorative treatments are attempted. This study explored the possibility that joint sounds do not present a problem when other symptoms are absent. A group of 35 subjects with restored occlusions were studied for the presence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms using clinical examination, questionnaires, and the pantographic reproducibility index. Forty-six percent had some degree of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Seventeen of 18 subjects (94%) with joint sounds were free of other symptoms. Therefore, the use of joint sounds as a symptom of temporomandibular joint dysfunction is questionable when not accompanied by other clinical symptoms. Subjects who had temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms were treated with occlusal splint therapy and occlusal adjustments. The period of time to eliminate the symptoms was 2 to 16 weeks with an average of 7 weeks. This study concludes that the presence of only joint sounds does not seem to be a hindrance to restorative treatments.