“True Normal” TMD Control Subjects: A Rare Clinical Finding

Abstract:

This study evaluated the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms compared to a group of asymptomatic volunteers. The clinical examination and history questionnaire used during the evaluation of TMD patients were less accurate evaluating asymptomatic subjects than when combined with computerized joint vibration analysis. “True normal” control subjects were rarely found when these diagnostic modalities were combined in the TMD examination process. Most of the asymptomatic subjects had subclinical signs of TMD. The small sample size is significant, especially since large numbers of subjects appear to be necessary to obtain even small numbers of “true normals.”