Association between dental occlusal variables and intraarticular temporomandibular joint disorders: Horizontal and vertical overlap

Statement of problem. It has been suggested that dental occlusion may play a role in the development of intraarticular temporomandibular joint disorders. Purpose. This study evaluated the relationship between horizontal and vertical overlap and intraarticular temporomandibular joint disorders. Material and methods. Vertical and horizontal overlap of the anterior teeth of 82 asymptomatic volunteers and 263 symptomatic patients were examined. Results. Fifty-five (67%) of the asymptomatic volunteers had normal joints and 27 (33%) had disk displacement. Two hundred and twenty-one patients (84%) had disk displacement and 42 (16%) had bilateral symptomatic normal joints. Horizontal overlap equal to or greater than 4 mm was more prevalent in the symptomatic patient group as compared with the asymptomatic volunteer group ( p < 0.05). Vertical overlap equal to or greater than 4 mm demonstrated no significant differences. Conclusion. Horizontal overlap equal to or greater than 4 mm was greater in symptomatic patients with intraarticular temporomandibular joint disorders. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;79:658-62.)