Correlation of Tooth Contact Habit in Patients with Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders and Healthy Normal Subjects

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorders are among the common musculoskeletal conditions affecting the individual. Modern day lifestyle and work environment may introduce abnormal habits like constant tooth contact habit which may have a role in the pathogenesis of temporomandibular disorder. This study aimed to correlate the prevalence of tooth contact habits in individuals suffering from TMD and compare them with that of normal individuals without any signs and symptoms of TMD. Material and Methods: 505 individuals were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 255 individuals who presented with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and group 2 consisted of 250 normal individuals. Detailed case history with emphasis on habits of constant tooth contact was recorded. Fischer's t test was used to compare the results between the two groups. Results: In group 1,54.5% of males and 58.02% of females gave a history of tooth contact habit while in group 2 individuals 38.7% males and 39.8% females gave a history of this habit. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females of group 1 with regard to this habit. There was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 individuals (both males and females combined) with regards to this habit. (p= 0.0003) Conclusion: Individuals with temporomandibular disorders exhibited higher prevalence of tooth contact habit when compared to normal subjects.