IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 17, Issue 4 Ver. 6 (April. 2018), PP 23-27 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1704062327 www.iosrjournals.org 23 | Page Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders among Partially Edentulous Patients: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study 1. Reshmi M,* 2. Vinni T K**, 3. Gilsa K Vasunni***, 4. Pramod Kumar A V*** 5. Reshmi R S* *Junior resident, ** Associate Professor, ***Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Govt. Dental College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. Corresponding Author: Reshmi M Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigateprevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among partially edentulous patients. Background: The prevalence of TMD signs in partially edentulous patients has not been well ‑ documented. On the contrary, much of the published work has been attributed to the complete denturewearing and the dentate patients. Methods: A total of 150 samples with Kennedy Class I or Class II partially edentulousarch, with age group range 30to75 were selected. The evaluation of TMD was done usingHelkimo index. The results were analysed by Frequency distribution and Chi –square test. Result: On evaluation of signs of TMD, the Frequency distribution ofclinical dysfunction index (Di) showed that 60.7% of the samples were free of anysigns and the Frequency distribution of anamnestic index (Ai), based on subjective findings shows that 66.7% of the samples were free of any symptoms. On evaluating different signs of TMD,84% of the population had normal range of movement (≥ 40mm), 69.3% had smooth movements without temporomandibular joint(TMJ) sounds or deviation in both opening and closing movements ≤ 2mm, 98% did not have tenderness to palpation in masticatory muscles, 96% did not have tenderness to palpation in TMJ region and 86.7% did not have pain on movement of mandible. There was statistically significant difference between male and female subjects (p=0.017) and no significant difference among different age groups. When comparing Kennedy Class I and Class II edentulous subjects, Class I maxilla group subjects were least affected. Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of the signs and symptoms of TMD among subjects who were included in this study. As TMD is a multifactorial condition, none of the literature shows a standardized protocol for the assessment and treatment and the results given were inconsistent. Thus more research is required in this field. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 29-03-2018 Date of acceptance: 14-04-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are recognized as the most common chronic orofacial pain condition confronting dentists and other health care providers 1 . In terms of relation between TMDs and age, high prevalence of such signs and symptoms hasbeen reported among adults. 2 Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are defined by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain as “a collective term that embraces a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint(TMJ), and the associated structures”. 3 Pain or tenderness in TMJ region, difficulty in chewing or deviation of mandible while opening mouth, clicking sound during chewing and sensation of an uncomfortable bite are some of the signs and symptoms. 4 The etiology of TMD is multifactorial and these include trauma, genetics, anatomical factors and occlusion. The most popular theories regarding TMD etiology are based on the bio psychosocial model, which involves a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. 5,6 It is well-established that a high percentage of patients who have a naturally occurring "occlusal abnormality" do not exhibit disease, while patients with ideal occlusion can and do exhibit temporomandibular disorder.So evidences point to many other etiologic factors such as anatomical susceptibility of temporomandibular tissues to trauma, polyarthritic diseases, joint laxity, repetitive parafunctional behaviours, and stress-related muscle dysfunction.In fact, current evidence points to these etiologic factors as more likely causative agents of disease than any structural irregularity of the occlusion or the joint. 7 Shetet alconcluded that the female subjects had a significantly higher prevalence of TMJ dysfunction signs than male subjects and the masseter muscle was the most commonly involved. 8