Table 2

Frequency distribution of several somatic complaints reported by patients from the POC and patients from the TMD/OFPOC (percentages shown in parentheses)


Patients from the POC (n = 65)
Patients from the TMD/OFPOC (n = 60)
p

Joint clicking
13 (20.0)
46 (76.7)
***
Other TMJ sounds
3 (4.6)
14 (23.3)
**
Impaired mouth opening
8 (12.3)
36 (60.0)
***
Impaired mouth closing
7 (10.8)
13 (21.7)
n. s.
Impaired chewing
11 (16.9)
36 (60.0)
***
Masticatory muscle fatigue
5 (7.7)
19 (31.7)
**
Masticatory muscle stiffness
4 (6.2)
20 (33.3)
***
Extensive prosthodontic management prior to consultation
48 (73.8)
33 (55.0)
*
Extensive orthodontic management prior to consultation
16 (24.6)
20 (33.3)
n. s.
Extensive surgical management prior to consultation
21 (32.3)
19 (31.7)
n. s.
Extensive occlusal adjustment prior to consultation
22 (33.8)
18 (30.0)
n. s.
Presence of habits
4 (6.2)
9 (15.0)
n. s.
     Nail biting
2 (3.1)
1 (1.7)
n. s.
     Lip biting
2 (3.1)
8 (13.3)
*
Smoking
13 (20.0)
10 (16.7)
n. s.
Tooth hypersensitivity
23 (35.4)
22 (36.7)
n. s.
Disturbance of a single tooth
8 (12.3)
14 (23.3)
n. s.
Pain upon wide mouth opening
6 (9.2)
37 (61.7)
***
Mouth dryness/burning mouth
17 (26.2)
21 (35.0)
n. s.
Need of a specific position to correctly close the mouth
9 (13.8)
26 (43.3)
***
Self-assessment of treatment need
29 (44.6)
54 (90.0)
***

For group comparisons Chi-square test was applied: n. s. = not significant; * = p < 0.05; ** = p < 0.01; *** = p < 0.001

Ommerborn et al. Head & Face Medicine 2008 4:23   doi:10.1186/1746-160X-4-23