[The sound during mandibular joint kinematics. The diagnostic, epidemiologic and prognostic elements]

Articular noise is one of the most frequent signs of a dysfunction of the masticatory system, but its clinical importance is often low. However, it is necessary to recognise the main characteristics of this pathological aspect of the temporomandibular arthrokinematics, such as type (soft or rough) and timing. The reliability of clinical methods versus electronic instrumentation for recording temporomandibular joint sounds is emphasized, when applied under uniform conditions. The surveys about the correlation factors (occlusal, anatomical, gender and age due, psychobehavioural) did not show unilateral results. In any case, the epidemiological data and the clinical experience over the years regarding articular sounds, do not make us able to detect the stage of the internal derangement of the affected joint. The prognosis is not severe for asymptomatic patients; on the contrary, the identification of some joint crepitus and, at the same time, the presence of pain and/or other dysfunctional symptoms needs immediate treatment.