Sounds produced by the mandibular joint in young men. A mass examination

More than 2000 young "healthy" men were asked whether they had noticed sounds emanating from the temporo-mandibular joints when being examined in connection with preventive dentistry. They were examined subsequently. About 20% of the patients said they had noticed occasional sounds emanating from the jaw joints; on palpation, crepitation or clicking was found in more than 10%. Auscultatory examination demonstrated sounds in almost 80% of the individuals examined. Phonographically a smaller group demonstrated sounds in more than 90% of the young men. The evaluation of the symptom "sounds in the joint", important in general practice, is not easy when one considers its frequency in "healthy" individuals.