Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2008 , Vol 11, Issue 1
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS IN OLDER DENTURE-WEARING PEOPLE
1Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Dişhekimliği Fakültesi Protetik Diş Tedavisi, KIRIKKALE
2Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Dişhekimliği Fakültesi Oral Diagnoz ve Radyoloji, KIRIKKALE
Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between temporomandibular disorders and socio-economic status, general-oral health, and dental status among patients with removable dentures.

Materials and Method: The subjects of this study were 100 patients; 48 males (mean age: 60.52±7.98) and 52 females (mean age: 61.44±8.06), with removable dentures. The study group were evaluated in two groups; with complete (n=53) and removable partial denture (n=47) in terms of their socio-economic status, general and oral health and temporamandibular disorders. Statistical analysis included t- test and chi-square tests.

Results: Statistically significant differences between socio-economic status, gender, age, occupational, general and oral health conditions were found between the groups. Younger females (50 years old) had significantly more frequent temporomandibular disorder symptoms. Variables related to impaired general and oral health were more common in the group with reported temporomandibular disorder problems, whereas satisfaction with received dental care and with denture was lower.

Conclusion: Individuals who reported temporomandibular disorder symptoms differed significantly from those without temporomandibular disorder symptoms in socio-economic status, general and oral health symptoms, dental conditions and satisfaction with their denture. Keywords : Temporomandibular disorders, Older people, Removable denture