Temporomandibular Joint Status, Occlusal Attrition, Cervical Erosion And Facial Pain Among Substance Abusers

Summary Statement of the problem: Drug addiction or substance abuse is an endemic habit globally. At present there is no data available regarding the temporomandibular joint status, Occlusal and cervical tooth wear and facial pain among substance abusers from the Saudi Arabia. Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the temporomandibular joint status, occlusal and cervical tooth wear and facial pain among the drug abusers from narcotics control prison, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: One hundred subjects were included in the study as a convenience sample. Male comprised of 56 and female 44. An interview and clinical examination were performed. Results: The age ranged from 20–65 years with mean (31.4 ± 8.9). Smoking, drinking and chewing habits were most common modes of drug used. 98.0% were smokers, 61.0% alcohol drinkers and 41.0% were cannabis user. The duration of drug abuse was more than 5 years among most of the candidates. TMJ status revealed that clicking was reported by 40.0%, tenderness by 9% and reduced jaw mobility 0.0%. Occlusal enamel wear (attrition) was reported by 16.1% of male and 18.1% of female. However, the occlusal dentine exposure was among female only (18.1%). Cervical erosion abrasion was common among 16.1% male and 54.5% female. Facial pain was experienced by 6.0% and facial numbness by only 1.0% of the subjects. Conclusion: Smoking, alcohol and cannabis were common among the studied population. Only 9.0% of the subjects had tenderness in TMJ, occlusal enamel wear was among 17.0% of subjects. Only female subjects had dentinal exposure. Facial pain was common among up to only 6.0% of the studied population. From public health point of view, smoking cessation programs and oral health education should be introduced to adolescents to prevent unhealthy illicit substance abusing habits in future. Further studies are needed to assess the oral mucosal changes, dietary pattern, oral hygiene behavior, quality of life and level of satisfaction among the substance abusers from Saudi Arabia.