Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: To evaluate the impact of impacted mandibular third molars on temporomandibular joint dysfunction using the Modified Helkimo Index, analyzing symptom severity across age groups. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A cohort of 140 patients (70 with...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Dorin Ioan Cocoș Alexandru Vlasa Sorana Maria Bucur Mariana Păcurar Kamel Earar |
| author_facet | Dorin Ioan Cocoș Alexandru Vlasa Sorana Maria Bucur Mariana Păcurar Kamel Earar |
| author_sort | Dorin Ioan Cocoș |
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| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: To evaluate the impact of impacted mandibular third molars on temporomandibular joint dysfunction using the Modified Helkimo Index, analyzing symptom severity across age groups. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A cohort of 140 patients (70 with impacted molars, 70 without) was assessed using the Modified Helkimo Index. Patients were categorized by age (<25, 26–30, 31–35, >36 years), and statistical comparisons between Icd<sup>i</sup> (with impacted molars) and Icd<sup>a</sup> (without impacted molars) were performed. Key parameters included mandibular movement limitation, joint noises, and pain scores. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical tests, with significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. <i>Results</i><b>:</b> TMJ dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in patients under 25 years (Icd<sup>i</sup> = 13.5, Icd<sup>a</sup> = 11.0; <i>p</i> = 0.045), with a progressive decrease in severity in older groups (>36 years: Icd<sup>i</sup> = 3.5, Icd<sup>a</sup> = 4.5; <i>p</i> = 0.072). Women exhibited a higher prevalence across all age categories (female-to-male ratio: <25 years = 2.7, >36 years = 3.0). The most frequent symptoms were mandibular movement restriction (42.5%), joint noises (38.2%), and pain (35.7%). <i>Conclusions</i>: Impacted third molars may significantly exacerbate TMJ dysfunctions, particularly in younger individuals and females, with a strong association between impacted molars and increased Modified Helkimo Index scores. Early extraction might mitigate symptoms, emphasizing the need for proactive clinical management. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-d10052188f29464f8fe8cc59144d8dac2025-08-20T02:33:51ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-05-0161585010.3390/medicina61050850Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo IndexDorin Ioan Cocoș0Alexandru Vlasa1Sorana Maria Bucur2Mariana Păcurar3Kamel Earar4Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Dunărea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, RomaniaDepartment of Periodontology and Oral-Dental Diagnosis, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38 Ghe. Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mureș, RomaniaDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, “Dimitrie Cantemir” University of Târgu Mureș, 540545 Târgu Mureș, RomaniaDepartment of Orthodontics, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38 Ghe. Marinescu Street, 540139 Târgu Mureș, RomaniaFaculty of Dental Medicine, “Dunărea de Jos” University, 800008 Galati, Romania<i>Background and Objectives</i>: To evaluate the impact of impacted mandibular third molars on temporomandibular joint dysfunction using the Modified Helkimo Index, analyzing symptom severity across age groups. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A cohort of 140 patients (70 with impacted molars, 70 without) was assessed using the Modified Helkimo Index. Patients were categorized by age (<25, 26–30, 31–35, >36 years), and statistical comparisons between Icd<sup>i</sup> (with impacted molars) and Icd<sup>a</sup> (without impacted molars) were performed. Key parameters included mandibular movement limitation, joint noises, and pain scores. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical tests, with significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. <i>Results</i><b>:</b> TMJ dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in patients under 25 years (Icd<sup>i</sup> = 13.5, Icd<sup>a</sup> = 11.0; <i>p</i> = 0.045), with a progressive decrease in severity in older groups (>36 years: Icd<sup>i</sup> = 3.5, Icd<sup>a</sup> = 4.5; <i>p</i> = 0.072). Women exhibited a higher prevalence across all age categories (female-to-male ratio: <25 years = 2.7, >36 years = 3.0). The most frequent symptoms were mandibular movement restriction (42.5%), joint noises (38.2%), and pain (35.7%). <i>Conclusions</i>: Impacted third molars may significantly exacerbate TMJ dysfunctions, particularly in younger individuals and females, with a strong association between impacted molars and increased Modified Helkimo Index scores. Early extraction might mitigate symptoms, emphasizing the need for proactive clinical management.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/850temporomandibular dysfunctionModified Helkimo Indeximpacted third molarsocclusal imbalance |
| spellingShingle | Dorin Ioan Cocoș Alexandru Vlasa Sorana Maria Bucur Mariana Păcurar Kamel Earar Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index Medicina temporomandibular dysfunction Modified Helkimo Index impacted third molars occlusal imbalance |
| title | Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index |
| title_full | Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index |
| title_fullStr | Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index |
| title_short | Association Between Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: An Analysis Based on the Modified Helkimo Index |
| title_sort | association between impacted mandibular third molars and temporomandibular dysfunction an analysis based on the modified helkimo index |
| topic | temporomandibular dysfunction Modified Helkimo Index impacted third molars occlusal imbalance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/850 |
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