Association of edentulousness and removable prosthesis rehabilitation with severity of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.

Context: There are very few studies concerning the role of denture status in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and those show conflicting results.

Aim: To evaluate the association of edentulousness and removable prosthesis rehabilitation with severity of TMD signs and symptoms.

Settings And Design: Data were collected from 2000 subjects reporting for dental treatment, above 30 years of age.

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were interviewed with a questionnaire and clinically examined for TMD on basis of Helkimo's index. The number of existing teeth, wearing of removable dentures, need for denture repair, and age of dentures was recorded.

Statistical Analysis: The association between the TMD findings and recorded variable outcomes was analyzed by means of Chi-square test.

Results: Completely edentulous individuals associated more with TMD related findings in incidence and intensity than partially/fully dentate subjects. Complete denture wearers were more associated with TMD symptoms, limited mandibular mobility, muscle tenderness, and pain on mandibular movement. Partial denture wearers were more associated with severely impaired temporomandibular joint function and joint pain. Signs and symptoms of TMD were more prevalent and severe in patients who needed to get their dentures repaired, those wearing dentures more than 5-year-old, and in patients who had not got their dentures repaired during the past 5 years.

Conclusions: Edentulousness, complete/partial denture wearing and poor condition of the dentures associate with greater incidence and intensity of TMD associated signs and symptoms.