Ten-year follow-up study of signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders in adults with intact and restored dentitions

summary Signs and symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) and oral parafunctions were reexamined in subjects, 25–26 years of age, 10 years after the first examination. Forty subjects had restored dentitions at both examinations (group F), 18 subjects with previously intact dentitions had had fillings in their teeth during the follow‐up period (group FI), and 11 subjects had intact dentitions at both examinations (group I). Signs and symptoms of CMD were more common among the subjects in group F than in the original group of subjects with intact teeth (group 10). In accordance with the first study most of the symptoms were mild and of low frequency. However, frequent symptoms were only found among the subjects in group F1 and group F and more severe frequent symptoms only in group F. There was an increase of the symptoms in group FI and group F. Frequent tooth clenching and frequent tongue pressing were more common in group F and there was a statistically significant increase in group FI concerning tooth clenching and tooth grinding and in group F concerning tooth grinding, tooth clenching and tongue pressing. Together with the correlations found between tooth clenching and signs and symptoms of CMD, the findings in this study and the personality study indicate a possible causal relationship between oral parafunctions, signs and symptoms of CMD, personality and fillings. A hypothesis for the possible mechanisms is presented. However, the findings are not conclusive and more studies are necessary, and for further interpretation of the results, studies from other research centres would be of interest.