Evaluation of the Prevalence of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Syndrome in Dental School Students with Psychometric Analysis

Authors: NECİP MUTLU, HASAN HERKEN, ENİS GÜRAY, FATİH ÖZ, ABDULLAH KALAYCI

Abstract: Aim: Despite the increasing volume of evidence implicating psychological factors in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder syndrome, these aspects of management are frequently neglected. In the diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome, clinical examination must be accompanied by an evaluation of the patients' emotional condition. In our study, the prevalence of TMJ disorders of dental students and the relation between TMJ disorder syndrome and the emotional condition of the patient were evaluated. Methods: The study group consisted of 156 males and 105 females: a total of 261 students. For the psychometric analysis the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL 90-R), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), and State Trait Anxiety Inventory I and II (STAI-I and II) tests were used. Standard clinical examination protocol was followed. Results: Psychometric measurements revealed significant psychological differences between subjects with the following TMJ disorder syndrome symptoms: hypochondria, hysteria (MMPI), somatization, and anger (SCL 90-R). In both groups, there were no significant differences between the scales of BDS, RSS and STAI-I and II. Clinical examination revealed internal derangement of 18 male and 18 female students and external derangement of 6 male and 1 female students. Conclusion: In terms of the relation to TMJ disorder syndrome, where it affects the patient's emotional condition, psychiatric support can be very useful in the evaluation and treatment of patients with these complaints.

Keywords: MPDS, TMJ disorder syndrome, emotional conditions

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