A comprehensive study for temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome in adolescents

本研究旨在探讨北海道与冲绳幼儿园、小学、初中与高中学生颞下颌关节功能障碍症候群的盛行率差异。这些受试者（3-18岁）的TMJ功能障碍综合征体征的患病率在北海道为19.7%，在冲绳为7.5%。本研究旨在探讨热像图对颞下颌关节功能障碍综合征的诊断价值。关节痛组咀嚼时咬肌区域（M）的温度峰值显著低于对照组。因此，咀嚼时M区的温度峰值可能是有用的TMJ功能障碍综合征的诊断方法。我们的目的是使用稳定仪检查TMJ功能障碍综合征和前牙开牙合受试者的平衡功能。本研究旨在探讨稳定夹板治疗对颞下颌关节紊乱综合征患者关节盘移位及关节积液的影响。无症状的关节后夹板治疗的变化也进行了评价。目前的结果表明，夹板治疗并没有导致改善磁盘位移。然而，关节积液减少症状关节。此外，夹板治疗后，关节音和一些无症状的关节可检测到的变化。

The aim of our study was to find out the difference of the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction syndrome among kindergartens, primary schools, junior high schools and senior high schools in Hokkaido and Okinawa. The prevalence of signs of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome for these subjects (3-18 years) was 19.7% in Hokkaido and 7.5% in Okinawa. There was statistically significance between two districts.The usefulness of thermography to one method in the diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction syndrome was evaluated in this study. The temperature peak in the region of masseter muscles (M) during chewing was significantly lower in the of the joint pain group than that of the control group. Therefore, the temperature peak in the region of M during chewing might be useful as a diagnostic method of TMJ dysfunction syndrome.Our purpose was to examine equilibrium function in the subjects with TMJ dysfunction syndrome and anterior open bite using a stabilometer. These results suggested that TMJ dysfunction syndrome and anterior open bite had any influence upon equilibrium function.Our group investigates the effect of stabilization splint therapy on disk displacement and joint effusion of TMJ in patients with TMJ dysfunction syndrome. The alteration of asymptomatic joints following splint therapy was also evaluated. The present results indicate that splint therapy does not lead to improvement of disk displacement. However, joint effusion reduces in symptomatic joints. In addition, joint sounds and detectable changes in some asymptomatic joint are observed following splint therapy.