Incidence of abnormalities in temporomandibular joints in a population of 1,100 urban and rural patients lacking teeth and other parafunctions in 2003-2008. An international problem.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE A hectic lifestyle and everyday stress are direct causes of parafunctions. The objective of the presented study was to examine the relation of sleep disorders, distant pain symptoms, symptoms of pathological tooth wear in rural and urban patients with parafunctions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The patient group consisted of 836 women and 274 men aged 9-82, and divided into groups taking into account the following criteria: number of patients in certain age groups, number of women and men, place of residence, presence of missing teeth problem, presence of occlusal and non-occlusal parafunctions, symptoms of tooth wear, distant pain symptoms, and sleep disorders. RESULTS 354 (31.89%) of the patients came from the rural environment. Distant pain symptoms were more frequent in patients performing parafunctions than in those who did not perform parafunctions (n = 1110, RR = 1.10, CI = from 1.04 to 1.16). Sleep disorders were more frequent in patients performing parafunctions than in those who do not perform parafunctions (n = 1110, RR = 1.06, CI = from 1.00 to 1.12). Symptoms of pathological tooth wear were more frequent in patients performing parafunctions than in those who did not perform parafunctions (n = 1110, RR = 1.08, CI = from 1.02 to 1.13). CONCLUSIONS It is extremely important (as it is international problem) to introduce prophylactic care to prevent the occurrence of parafunctional activity in patients from the rural environment. Parafunctions, therefore, should be taken into account in the diagnosing procedure of such disorders and pathological symptoms as pathological tooth wear, sleep disorders, cervicalgia, neck myalgia, shoulder girdle myalgia, and dorsalgia.