Study of stress-induced temporomandibular disorders among dental students: An institutional study

Abstract

Aim and Objectives:The aim and objectives of this study are to investigate the various types of stress-inducing factors, most prevalent etiological factor and to determine the correlation between stress and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in Dental students in Modinagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.Materials and Methods:A sample of 450 students were selected for the study divided into two groups of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students further subdivided into UG (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, interns) and PG (1st, 2nd, 3rd year). Study includes clinical evaluation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) system (TMJ sounds, muscles of mastications, mouth opening, and range of mandibular motion) and questionnaire which covers demographic data (i.e., age, sex, and academic year), TMD symptoms and TMD signs along with standardized scales related to stress dental environmental stress scale and perceived stress scale (PSS).Results:Most of the students included into study are mostly of 21–25 years of age (64.3%), males (52.7%), females 47.3% with more number of UGs (91.4%) predominantly 1st year students (23.9%). Headache was found to be the most prevalent TMD symptom (26.2%) followed by clicking (24.9%), pain on clicking (5.5%), jaw lock (3.4), and difficulty in mouth opening (0.9%). Clicking was found to be the most prevalent TMD sign (24.9%) among dental students followed by deviation (16.3%), muscle tenderness (14.3%), and TMJ pain (5.7%). The most prevalent TMD was disc displacement 22.6% followed by myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) with disc displacement (13.5%) and MPDS (3.8%). TMD was higher in UG females students of 21–-25 years of age group, dental environment stress scale score and PSS score shows statistically significant results.Conclusion:Stress is a significant etiologic factor involved in initiation and maintenance of TMDs in Dental students.

Evaluation of temporomandibular disorders among dental students of Saudi Arabia using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD): a cross-sectional study

“…Hence, they can relate well to the symptoms of TMD and so, thus responded to the questionnaire in a more responsible and informed manner. Inherent challenges, demanding patient care and apprehension about the career are some of the concerns which can be attributed to the students in the clinical levels [ 25 – 27 ].…”

“…A common observation made in the past studies was the preponderance of TMD among females and in the younger age groups [ 9 , 16 , 22 , 23 ]. Previous studies have also pointed out the higher prevalence of TMD in university students, especially medical and dental undergraduates [ 19 , 20 , 24 , 25 ]. As we can appreciate the complexity of the dental curriculum, it’s demanding nature and challenging structure, the amount of stress, anxiety, and distress are bound to increase [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Psychometric Properties of SCARED-C Scale in a Romanian Community Sample and its Future Utility for Dental Practice

“…Several studies clearly indicate anxiety and stressful situations to be significantly involved in the initiation and maintenance of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) [51]. These are important in the etiology of this complicated group of diseases [51].…”

<p>Gejala klinis dan faktor penyebab kelainan temporomandibular joint pada kelas I oklusi angle</p><p>Clinical symptoms and aetiological factors of temporomandibular joint abnormalities in class I angle occlusion</p>

“…13 Hormon estrogen juga menyebabkan perempuan lebih mudah merasakan adanya kelainan pada tubuhnya khususnya kelainan TMJ dan juga perempuan lebih peduli pada setiap perubahan pada tubuhnya. 13,14 Stres juga memicu aktivitas sistem nervus simpatis yang dapat mengakibatkan meningkatnya fungsi otot (hiperaktivitas otot). 15 Adanya hiperaktivitas otot yang merupakan salah satu respon tubuh dalam menghadapi segala ancaman dan beban yang melebihi kemampuan biologisnya seperti menggertakkan gigi, menopang dagu, dan menggigit kuku.…”

“…Peneliti menduga adanya faktor stres pada masa perkuliahan memungkinkan terjadinya kelainan TMJ terutama pada individu dengan kategori usia 20-25 tahun memiliki tanggung jawab yang besar sehingga mudah mengalami stres. 1,9,14 Hasil anamnesis menunjukkan terdapat keluhan kelainan TMJ terbanyak berupa bunyi, lalu nyeri otot leher, nyeri telinga, rahang sulit terbuka, dan nyeri kepala (Tabel 1). Berdasarkan keluhan subjek, bunyi pada sendi merupakan salah satu gejala yang paling banyak dikeluhkan dan subjek mudah menyadari bahwa hal tersebut merupakan kelainan TMJ.…”