Is temporomandibular joint involvement more frequent in patients with epilepsy? A clinical study

• Published in: The Journal of prosthetic dentistry 2024-04, Vol.131 (4), p.626-632
• Main Authors: Károlyházy, Katalin, Vass, Andrea Fanni, Csillik, Anita, Schmidt, Péter, Márton, Krisztina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-3913; 1097-6841
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2022.03.022

Epileptic seizures may affect the stomatognathic system via transmission of an increased load to the dentition and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), resulting in temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). The purpose of this clinical study was to assess whether TMD was more prevalent in patients with epilepsy than in those without epilepsy. A total of 107 participants diagnosed with epilepsy and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Those with epilepsy were divided according to their dental manageability into 3 subgroups: mild group, moderate group, and severe group. Following general, dental, and TMJ-related history, the range of maximal mouth opening (MMO), laterotrusion, possible deviation and deflection, and presence of crepitation and clicking was recorded, as suggested by the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular diseases (DC/TMD). Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was also measured by using a pressure algometer on 3 points bilaterally. Incidence of TMJ complaints was not significantly different between the control (30%) and the group diagnosed with epilepsy (33%); however, the number of complaints experienced was significantly higher in the epilepsy group (C: 3%, E: 16% had 3 or more complaints; P