Abstract:

Objective To retrospectively analyze the distribution and differences of oral behavior among patients with acute and chronic painassociated with temporomandibular disorders(TMD). Methods A total of 212 patients with pain TMD in West China Hospital of Stomatology completed oral behaviors checklist(OBC). SPSS statistical software was used to analyze all the data. Results The patients with pain-related TMD had specific oral behaviors, such as “pressure on the jaw during sleep”(49.5%), “unilateral chewing”(49.5%), “upper and lower teeth contact when not eating”(37.7%), etc. Scores of “upper and lower teeth contact when not eating” and “muscle tension when teeth are not clenched or teeth are not in contact” in patients with chronic pain TMD were higher than those of acute patients, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The total OBC scores and daytime OBC scores of chronic pain TMD patients were higher than those of acute pain patients, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in OBC scores of patients with acute and chronic pain TMD during sleep(P>0.05). Conclusion Pain-related TMD patients had specific oral behaviors, and patients with chronic pain TMD exhibited higher levels of total OBC, daytime OBC, “upper and lower teeth contact when not eating” and “muscle tension when teeth do not bite or teeth are not in contact” oral behavior than acute pain TMD patients. In the treatment of patients with painful TMD, correcting the patient’s bad oral behavior can help the treatment of pain-related TMD.

Key words: temporomandibular disorders, temporomandibular joint, oral behavior, oral behaviours checklist