Mandibular dysfunction in an institutionalized and predominantly elderly population

Oral health problems were identified among 653 residents of 40 long-term care institutions in Vancouver, using a personal interview and a dental examination. Information on jaw function was analysed as part of this investigation to identify associations between the clinical signs of mandibular dysfunction and the complaints of the subjects, their occlusal instability, and the quality of their dentures. The sample population were predominantly female and over 75 years of age, and 42% had some natural teeth. Complaints of jaw dysfunction, usually sore muscles, were heard from 13% of the 488 subjects interviewed. The examination was performed on all of the subjects and revealed that 43% had unstable occlusal contacts, 37% were using loose or unstable dentures, and 20% had one or more clinical signs of jaw dysfunction. Joint noise was the most frequent sign detected and it was heard in a greater percentage of the women than men, while deviation of the mandible during mouth opening was observed with great frequency in the younger age groups. There was no apparent association found between the clinical signs of jaw dysfunction and the complaints of the subjects or the condition of their teeth or dentures. The study demonstrated that complaints and clinical signs of jaw dysfunction, with the exception of joint noises, were uncommon in this population.