Stress as Etiological Factor in Diseases of Mandibular Joint

Overview

The authors investigated the influence of stress in intraarticular lesions of mandibular joint (discopathy, arthritis, arthrosis). In the group of 100 patients, a higher stress load was diagnosed in 40% of patients while 32.5% of patients suffered from discopathy and 45% patients from arthritis and osteoporosis. As far as the role of occupation in discopathy, the most frequently affected patients were those working in services (shop assistants, hairdressers) in 30% and retired individuals in 26.6%.

Stress belongs to very frequent etiological factors and an indispensable part in the therapy of mandibular joint diseases is therefore psychotherapeutic approach, adequate pharmacotherapy and nonspecific psychotherapy.

Key words:
diseases of mandibular joint – etiology - stress