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Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Is occlusal asymmetry related to diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders categorization? A preliminary
Pornpimon Kamchai1, Sakarin Tangpothitham2, Udom Thongudomporn1
1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
Objective:
To compare asymmetry in occlusal contact area, number of occlusal contact points, and number of occluding tooth pairs between healthy individuals and patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) categorized by the DC/TMD.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 49 participants aged 18-45 years, divided into five groups: healthy, muscle pain, joint pain, combined muscle and joint pain, and joint disorder. Occlusal contacts at maximum intercuspation were recorded using an intraoral scanner. STL files were analyzed to quantify occlusal contact area, contact points, and occluding tooth pairs. Clinical and psychosocial variables were assessed using standardized questionnaires.
Results:
Intra-examiner reliability was high (ICC = 0.90). No significant between-group differences were found in demographic characteristics or occlusal asymmetry measures (p ≥ .05).
Conclusion:
No statistically significant differences in occlusal asymmetry were found among TMD subgroups or healthy individuals. Current evidence does not support the use of intraoral scanning of occlusal contacts for diagnosing or differentiating TMDs.
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