One Habitual Chewing Side May Contribute to Chronic Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Pain

The cause of temporomandibular joint disorders remains unknown. It is considered multifactorial and includes physical (peripheral) and psychosocial (central) factors. It has been showed an association: a steeper condylar path, flatter lateral anterior guidance, and habitual chewing on the symptomatic side. This finding argues the possibility of causation of some of these characteristics. This double blind longitudinal study aims to assess if the presence of one habitual chewing side could contribute to temporomandibular joint disorders over time.

Method. Young adults with no signs or symptoms of TMD will be assessed. Participants with one chewing side (observed and interview); with steeper condylar path and lower lateral guidance angles will be considered consistent one side chewers, and this side will be considered more susceptible to suffer TMD. Mouth opening, hemispheric dominance and hemimandibular retrognathia will be considered as secondary pre-specified outcomes. Four years later, both TMJs of each participant presenting signs and/or symptoms will be evaluated according to DC/TMD.