Correlation between gender, temporomandibular joint disc position and clinical findings in patients with temporomandibular disorder

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess gender differences in temporomandibular joint disc position using magnetic resonance imaging and to check for symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven consecutive patients (70 females and 17 males) were evaluated. Bilateral magnetic resonance imaging was performed to determine the temporomandibular joint disc positions; these were divided into four diagnostic categories: no disc displacement, right disc displacement, left disc displacement and bilateral disc displacement. The clinical data assessed were pain on muscle and temporomandibular joint palpation. The data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test, chi-square test or analysis of variance. Significance was set at p ≤ .05. RESULTS: The study population had more females (80.5%) than males (19.5%) and the mean age of females (31 ± 11 years) was lower than the mean age of males (41± 12 years). Bilateral disc displacement was significantly most frequent in females. Clinical examination showed more pain on muscle palpation for female than for male patients. CONCLUSION: Women had a higher frequency of temporomandibular joint disc displacement, as well as a larger number of painful points on muscle palpation than men.