PREVALENCE OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS AMONG NEPALESE POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) comprise of a variety of clinical signs and symptoms such as joint sounds, muscle tenderness, joint tenderness, deviation, deflection, pain on mouth opening, protrusive, lateral movement and limited mouth opening which can be the result of trauma, stress, gum chewing, hard food biting habits, bruxism, long dental appointment. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in Nepalese population in Eastern Nepal.

Methods: The study was performed from May 2018 to Oct 2018. All the patients who came to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) and health camps in Eastern part of Nepal were included. The self-administered questions were asked to the subjects about demographic data, different signs and symptoms of TMDs and etiological factors responsible to it.

Results: More than two thirds of the study sample (83.96%) in the present study had one or more clinical signs and symptoms of TMDs. Deviation of mandible on mouth opening and clicking sound made up the highest percentage. Females were reported to have significantly higher prevalence of TMDs signs and symptoms than male. Disc displacement was the most prevalent disorder followed by myofascial pain and degenerative joint disorder.

Conclusion: The results of this study show that a significant percentage of the population has signs and symptoms of TMDs. Measures should be taken to prevent and treat TMDs in this part of the world.