Prediction of demand for treatment of temporomandibular disorders based on a 20-year follow-up study.

• The purpose was to test the hypothesis that signs and symptoms characteristic of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) at age 15 would predict demand for treatment during a 20-year follow-up period. Of originally 135 examined 15-year-old subjects, 103 completed a questionnaire and 84 were examined clinically at the 10-year follow-up (at age 25). After 20 years (at age 35), 114 completed a questionnaire and 100 were also examined clinically. During the 20-year follow-up period, 21 subjects received some kind of treatment of TMD. At baseline (age 15), the treated group reported tooth grinding at night more often than the non-treated group (P = 0.0042). At the 10-year follow-up (at age 25), the treated group reported more symptoms of TMD and oral parafunctions than the non-treated group. Among the clinical registrations, there was only one significant difference between the groups: anterior tooth wear was more extensive in the treated group. At the 20-year follow-up (at age 35), the treated group reported significantly more symptoms of TMD and oral parafunctions than the non-treated group. The clinical dysfunction index was also higher in the treated group. Logistic regression revealed tooth grinding at night as a significant predictor of received treatment of TMD. However, the positive predictive value was low whereas the negative predictive value was high (90%). The findings indicate that nocturnal tooth grinding is related to demand for treatment of TMD.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Age Factors

Bruxism

diagnosis

Cuspid

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Forecasting

Health Services Needs and Demand

Humans

Male

Predictive Value of Tests

Regression Analysis

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

diagnosis

therapy

Tooth Abrasion

diagnosis

Adolescent

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)