The present investigations were undertaken for establishing the frequency of musculo-articular disorders of the stomatognathic system in healthy children as well as determining their features and degree. The study covered 500 children from Warsaw's primary schools--250 children aged 6-8 years and 250 aged 13-15 years. An incidence of disorder of 56-4 and 67-6% was found in the groups of younger and older children, respectively; their number and severity being significantly higher among the latter. The chi-square test showed no relation between the disorders of the temporomandibular joint and malocclusion or the premature loss of teeth in the group of younger children; in the older group the correlation was significant but of very low degree. The suggestion is made that the correlation between musculo-articular disorders, malocclusions and loss of teeth, is probably determined by the length of time during which the dysfunction is exerting its effect.

An epidemiological investigation of the temporomandibular joint in 800 persons was undertaken, including two groups of 400 persons aged 15-18 and 19-22 years. The numbers of boys and girls was about the same. Interview and clinical examination comprised morphological and functional features of the stomatognathic system. The TMJ examination carried out included mandibular movements, pain and sound symptoms. The results of the examinations were noted, counted by electronic methods and statistically analysed. From the material, two groups were selected: without TMJ symptoms (OTMJ group) and with TMJ disorders (TMJ group). TMJ disorders were evident in 67.62% of the examined persons and this was common to both age groups. In groups with TMJ disorders a significant incidence of girls was found. In groups with TMJ disorders the number of statistically significant pathological features in the stomatognathic system increased with age. TMJ disorders appeared in both age groups in various forms, separately or in combination, with different frequency. With reference to the number and kind of symptoms obtained on interview and/or on clinical examination, four degrees of intensity of TMJ disorders have been defined and their incidence discussed.

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