Retrospective review of 350 patients referred to a TMJ clinic

Abstract

The records of 350 consecutive patients referred 2 1/2 years previously were examined retrospectively for clinical findings, diagnoses and observations related to treatment. There was a good correlation between the severity of symptoms reported by the patients in a questionnaire at the first visit and the clinical dysfunction index. The female patients had higher dysfunction index values than the men, while the occlusal index was equally distributed in both sexes. The most frequently used treatment methods were bite planes, occlusal adjustment and jaw exercises. There was a wide variation in the length of the treatment period and number of visits but the median values for these variables were 3 and 4 months, respectively, which is encouraging in view of the fact that the duration of the symptoms before the start of treatment was more than 6 months in two-thirds of the patients. Patients who had reported severe symptoms and those who were in a "poor social situation" had higher clinical dysfunction index values at the first visit, had more visits to the clinic and required a longer treatment period than others but they did not differ regarding the evaluation of the clinical situation at termination of treatment.