Functional disturbances of the masticatory system in an elderly population group

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of craniomandibular disorders in a geriatric population in Israel, and to study morphometric and functional parameters as well. One hundred ten elderly subjects (61-90 years old) were interviewed and examined clinically for the following parameters: general health history, dental comfort and masticatory performance, anthropometric measurements, functional performance of the stomatognathic system, dental status, static and dynamic occlusion, and signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders. The results indicate that (1) loss of hearing was the most common debilitating functional disturbance reported, with rheumatoid or rheumatoid-like chronic diseases also common among this age group; (2) chewing performance was compromised and tongue thrust was common; (3) range of mandibular movement was decreased; (4) prevalence of signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders in the elderly were compatible with or higher than those in younger subjects, but the older individuals were not disturbed by the problem enough to seek help; (5) there was no association between impaired general health and the prevalence of craniomandibular disorders; and (6) interocclusal distance was large and negatively related to the lower third of the face and positively related to the presence of full dentures.