The relationship between the Oral Behavioral Checklist and the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale in temporomandibular joint pain

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) impair orofacial function and reduce functional capacity and have an impact on a person’s overall health and quality of life. For clinical and research purposes, it is encouraged to adopt the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Diseases (DC/TMD) for an evidence-based assessment of abnormalities of the jaw joint. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the jaw’s functional restriction and to assess the association between pain, the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-8), and the Oral Behavioral Checklist (OBC) utilizing the DC/TMD.

A hundred and two patients with TMD were included in present study. TMD-Pain Screener and TMD-SymptomQuestionnaire from DC/TMD Axis-I were used. In order to determine parafunctional habits and function limitations, JFLS-8 and the OBC from the DC/TMD Axis-II assessment tools were utilized. Data analysis was performed using chi-square, the KruskalWallis test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. The Spearman and Pearson tests were used for correlation assessment.

Age, education level, occupation, marital status, and the onset time of jaw complaints of the 102 patients (64 female and 38 male) were not found to be associated with JFLS-8. Statistical significance was found between female gender and JFLS-8 (P<0.05). While there was no statistically significant relationship between joint closed locking and JFLS-8 evaluated with the TMD-Symptom Questionnaire, a significant relationship was found between open locking and JFLS-8 (P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between JFLS-8 and the TMD-Pain Questionnaire and also between JFLS-8 and the OBC (P<0.001, r=0.380; P=0.028, r=0.248).

DC/TMD is an important tool in the evaluation of jaw limitation. Female gender, presence of pain, and parafunctional habits are risk factors for functional limitation of the jaw.