The role of occlusion in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) 1966

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the role of occlusion in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC 1966).

Methods

Subjects (n = 1962) participated in clinical medical and dental examinations. The association between TMD signs and diagnoses with occlusal disturbances, i.e. malocclusions and occlusal interferences, was examined. Pearson’s chi-square test, as expressed by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and logistic regression models, were used in the analysis.

Results

A statistically significant association was found between myalgia and lateral scissor bite and also between arthralgia and lateral deviation in the retruded contact position and intercuspal contact position (RCP-ICP) slide. Pain in the masticatory muscles was associated with negative overjet and the amount of RCP-ICP slide.

Discussion

Occlusal factors showed a statistically significant association with TMD. The TMD signs were associated with unstable occlusion, especially the amount and lateral deviation in RCP-ICP slide, as well as negative overjet.

Keywords:

• Epidemiological study
• occlusion
• occlusal interference
• malocclusion
• temporomandibular disorders
• TMD
• NFBC 1966
• cohort study

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the late professor Paula Rantakallio (launch of NFBC 1966), the participants in the 46y study, and the NFBC project center. The authors would also like to give special thanks to Paula Pesonen (MSc) for her help with the statistical analysis.