[Therapy of masticatory dysfunction]

A representative sample of patients who had presented with masticatory dysfunction at our clinic was assessed immediately as well as after longer periods following therapy. The results of this epidemiologic study indicate that those cases in which isolated stressors constituted the main etiologic factor are most responsive to therapy, but also most likely to recur. When occlusal interferences are involved, therapeutic success will depend heavily on the degree of destruction of the different articular structures. Patients presenting with psychic disorders causing somatic disturbances in the orofacial region or with primary TMJ affections such as polyarthritis or polyarthrosis are the most resistant to therapy.