An Evaluation of the Correlation Between Temporomandibular Disorders Defined by Joint Vibration Analysis Both with Sleep Disorder Breathing and Patient Characteristics

Abstract

Limited research exists on the correlation between sleep disorder breathing and TMD. The aim of this study is to assess the relation between TMJ noises generated using Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) and the most common subtype of TMD; TMD and SDB, and variables amongst patients and TMD. This study is a 10-year retrospective analysis of 68 patients. Patients were selected for the study if they possessed a full set of dental records comprising of demographics, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and JVA data. Based on a clinical diagnosis of SDB, patients were divided into two groups, patients with SDB (n = 37) and those without SDB (n = 31). JVA was used to diagnose patients with TMD (n = 56) and those without TMD (n = 12) as well as to identify the most common subtype of TMD. SDB and non-SDB patient groups were compared to each other in order to identify whether a link concerning SDB and TMD and SDB versus other TMD subtypes. Finally, a multivariant analysis was done in order to identify a correlation between patient characteristics and TMD using Graph Pad Prism v8.2.0. The analysis of results indicated that ligamentous laxity was the most common diagnosis of TMD defined by JVA. No statistically significant association identified between SDB and TMD cohort (p = 0.7598); TMD subtypes in patients with SDB. However, multivariant analysis of patient characteristics below average patient oral hygiene was significantly associated with TMD (p = 0.0309). JVA successfully identified ligamentous laxity as the most common diagnosis of TMD. Due to limitations in this patient cohort, an association between TMD and SDB was not able to be established in this analysis. The correlation between TMD and SDB requires further research. If an association does exist, JVA represents a novel tool for the early identification of TMD, which may lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for SDB.