The role of occlusal curvatures and maxillary arch dimensions in patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To identify differences in occlusal curvatures and maxillary arch dimensions between subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders TMDs and asymptomatic subjects.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One hundred subjects 78 female and 22 male who consented to participate in this research were examined for signs and symptoms of TMDs according to the guidelines of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders RDCTMD. In addition, occlusal measurements were performed for all subjects on plaster models. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS version 19.

RESULTS

Significant associations were revealed between the depth of the curve of Spee COS and temporomandibular joint TMJ sounds. Furthermore, maxillary arch width was negatively correlated to the steepness of the curve of Wilson. No differences were found between subjects with and without a history of orthodontic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with TMJ sounds tend to have a flatter COS compared to subjects without TMJ sounds.