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Mandibular Dysfunction
Limitation in ability
to use the jaw without pain or discomfort is a common clinical
presentation and restoration of adequate and comfortable jaw function
is an objective for much of clinical TMD treatment. For purposes
of defining potential TMD cases to receive clinical interventions
in an RCT, the major manifestations of mandibular dysfunction
are:
- Limitations in range
of motion--inability to open the mouth or to move the jaw laterally
without pain; measured in mm.
- Locking or catching
of the jaw so that it remains in relatively fixed open or closed
positions; assessed by history or clinical examination finding
- Inability to use
the jaws for normal functions such as chewing hard or soft foods,
talking, smiling and even maintaining typical facial appearance;
assessed by mandibular dysfunction scale scores (Stetenga
et al., 1993).
Certain aspects of
mandibular dysfunction can be operationally defined with relative
objective measures, such as vertical range of motion, measured
as millimeters, when the jaw is opened, without assistance, either
with or without pain, or when the clinician assists the mandible
to a maximum assisted opening position.
Question
7.1
The subjective
report of pain is known to influence mandibular vertical range
of motion, which is measured objectively using a millimeter ruler.
Which of the following best describes how you would classify vertical
range of jaw motion:
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