Mass Screening for Temporomandibular Dysfunction. 1. Developing a Simple Examination Method.

In mass screening for temporomandibular dysfunction a simple method for examiningtemporomandibular joint function is needed because examination time for individuals islimited. Moreover, examinees should be classified according to the degree of temporomandibulardysfunction. NVe developed a new examination method which classified the dysfunctionaccording to (1) maximal mouth opening, (2) TM J sound, (3) muscle pain, (4) TMJ painon palpation, and (5) pain on movement of mandible. One score point was given to eachpositive symptom, and a total score was added together. Therefore, each individual could beclassified into 6 dysfunction grades from 0 to 5 points. The results were compared to thoseby the conventional TMJ examination method reported by Helkimo in 272 Japanese.The result showed that our examination method evaluated individual TMJ function moreaccurately than Helkimo's method, because the values for maximal horizontal movement anddeviation during opening or closing movement were not correctly measured by Helkimo'sexamination method in the limited time.