[Function damage of masticatory organ. Retrospective study of 1,778 patients in a West German clinic]

The etiology of the TMJ dysfunction-pain syndrome is multicausal and composed of several factors which are just partly known. To get more information about etiology, diagnostic and therapeutic means, data from 1778 patients with subjective complaints of mandibular dysfunction have been analyzed. The most frequent dental findings in clinical functional analysis and psychological and social aspects are evaluated and discussed. Concepts for initial therapy are pointed out and reviewed in experience of the numerous cases. The data show that filling therapy could initiate functional disturbances which should be considered in daily practice.