[Functional disorders of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint in pathological tooth abrasion]

Altogether 568 patients, 308 women and 260 men aged 30 to 64 with abnormal teeth abrasion were examined by clinical, anthropometric, X-ray (spot and panoramic radiography of the teeth and jaws, tomography of the temporomandibular joint), electromyography, and rheoparodontography. Pathological teeth abrasion was associated with various morphological and functional disturbances in the maxillodental system. Two types of abrasion were distinguished: with and without masticatory function disorders. The latter condition was detected in 252 (44.36%) patients. Painful dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint was observed in 66 (11.6%) patients. Three factors contribute to the pathogenesis of these functional disorders in abnormal teeth abrasion: reduction of occlusion height (interalveolar distance) and shortening of the lower third of the face, blocking of mandibular movements, lateral and distal shift of the mandible.