Temporomandibular Joint Subluxation Prevalence and Related Factors in Shiraz Students

Knowledge about incidence of subluxation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related probable predisposing factors can help in preventing or decreasing its sequella. This study was designed to clinically evaluate the incidence and the effect of factors such as age and sex on the expression of TMJ subluxation among students in Shiraz, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed on 800 randomly selected students, aging from 7 to 18 years old in Shiraz. The students were examined clinically and an examination sheet completed. Final diagnosis of subluxation was based on sudden jerky movement and exit of condyle from glenoid fossa upon mouth opening. Data were analyzed with Chi-Square test. The incidence of subluxation in studied population was 33.1% and 1.67 times more prevalent in the female than the male students. The incidence was not meaningfully related to age. Also 72.8% of involved cases were symptomatic. Tenderness in Temporalis muscle was the most prevalent symptom. Subluxation is a common finding among school children of Shiraz.Girls are more prone to develop subluxation. The incidence of subluxation was not related to the age. The, related symptoms, however will increase by age