
Absence of Anterior Guidance and its Effects on Early Discal Changes in Temporomandibular Joint: A Cross-sectional Study
ZC27-ZC30
Correspondence
Suresh Venugopalan,
Saveetha Dental College, 162, Poonamallee High Rd, Velappanchavadi, Chennai-600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: suresh@saveetha.com
Introduction: Anterior guidance plays a crucial role in occlusal harmony and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) function. Its absence may contribute to early joint changes, potentially leading to dysfunction. Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) provides a non invasive method to assess TMJ status and detect subclinical discal changes.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of the absence of anterior guidance on TMJ function using JVA and to assess early discal changes.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, over the period of March 2024 to August 2024 total of 30 participants were categorised into three groups based on anterior guidance: Group 1 served as the control group and consisted of participants with intact anterior guidance. Group 2 included participants without anterior guidance who had previously undergone orthodontic or prosthodontic therapy. Group 3 comprised participants without anterior guidance and without any prior history of orthodontic or prosthodontic treatment. JVA parameters, including total integral, integral values greater than 300 Hz and integral values less than 300 Hz, were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSPSS) version 23.0, employing One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test for group comparisons.
Results: Participants without anterior guidance exhibited significantly higher total integral values (p-value <0.05), indicating subclinical discal changes in the TMJ. A significant difference (p-value=0.02) was observed in maximum mouth opening among the groups. The higher integral values greater than 300 Hz and less than 300 Hz in the groups without anterior guidance further supported the presence of early joint dysfunction.
Conclusion: Early subclinical discal changes in the TMJ were noted in patients with an absence of anterior guidance. JVA can serve as an effective diagnostic tool for the early detection of TMJ dysfunction.