The Impact of Parafunctional Habits on Temporomandibular Joint Health

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 114 views

The Relationship Between Parafunctional Habits and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in USU FKG Students

Understanding the Stomatourction System

The stomatourction system is a complex network of anatomical structures, including the temporomandibular joint, muscles, and teeth, that work together to optimize its functions. These functions include mastication, manners, phonation, breathing, and facial expressions when speaking. When normal functions are disturbed by local or systemic problems that exceed physiological tolerance, it can trigger a pathological response, leading to various signs and symptoms. This can result in stomatnognity system dysfunction syndrome or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

The Prevalence of Parafunctional Habits and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

This study aims to analyze the prevalence of parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders among students of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of North Sumatra (FKG USU). The method used is cross-sectional research with a descriptive analytic design. A total of 115 students were involved as samples. Data was collected through interviews with questionnaires and clinical examinations using Helkimo's Anamnestic Index and Helkimo's Dysfunction Index.

The results showed that 80.9% of students had parafunctional habits, with clenching as much as 10.4%, grinding 4.3%, biting nails 16.5%, chewing gum 21.7%, and supporting the chin 27.7%. In addition, the prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders was recorded at 64.3% based on interviews and 83.5% based on clinical examinations. From respondents who have parafunctional habits, as many as 69.9% experienced temporomandibular joint disorders according to interviews, and 96.8% according to clinical examination.

The Relationship Between Parafunctional Habits and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

The most common sign of temporomandibular joint disorder is the disorder of the temporomandibular system function (STM), which is found at 81.7% of respondents. Further details show that the highest impaired STM function is found in the habit of chewing gum (88.8%), followed by clenching and grinding (83.3% each), and supporting the chin (78.1%). Research also found a significant relationship between parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders, with a value of P = 0.0001 for most habits, including clenching, grinding, biting nails, chewing gum, and supporting the chin.

The Impact of Parafunctional Habits on Temporomandibular Joint Health

From the results of the study, it appears that parafunctional habits have a significant impact on the health of the temporomandibular joints. Habits such as clenching and grinding, which are often triggered by stress or tension, can cause excessive pressure in the joints, causing pain, swelling, and disruption of function. USU FKG students, who are often experiencing academic pressure, may be more vulnerable to this habit, which has the potential to influence their overall quality of life and performance.

The Importance of Awareness and Prevention

The importance of awareness of the impact of parafunctional habits on dental and jaw health needs to be a concern for students. The educational and intervention programs focused on the introduction of bad habits and how to manage them can help prevent the emergence of more serious temporomandibular joint disorders in the future.

Prevention Approaches

Through prevention approaches, such as relaxation techniques to reduce stress, as well as physical exercise and therapy, students can learn to reduce this harmful habit. Thus, this research not only provides a clear picture of the prevalence and the relationship between parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders, but also opens opportunities for better interventions in the context of dental and jaw health among students.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the significant relationship between parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders among USU FKG students. The prevalence of parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders is high, and the most common sign of temporomandibular joint disorder is the disorder of the temporomandibular system function. The study also emphasizes the importance of awareness and prevention of parafunctional habits to prevent the emergence of more serious temporomandibular joint disorders. By promoting relaxation techniques, physical exercise, and therapy, students can learn to reduce this harmful habit and maintain good dental and jaw health.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Educational programs should be implemented to raise awareness of the impact of parafunctional habits on dental and jaw health.
Intervention programs should be developed to help students manage and prevent parafunctional habits.
Relaxation techniques, physical exercise, and therapy should be promoted as prevention approaches to reduce the risk of temporomandibular joint disorders.
Further research should be conducted to explore the relationship between parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders in other populations.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The study only focuses on USU FKG students, which may not be representative of other populations.
The study only examines the relationship between parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders, and does not explore other potential risk factors.

Future Directions

Future research should aim to:

Explore the relationship between parafunctional habits and temporomandibular joint disorders in other populations.
Examine other potential risk factors for temporomandibular joint disorders.
Develop and evaluate intervention programs to prevent and manage parafunctional habits.

Conclusion

Q: What are parafunctional habits?

A: Parafunctional habits refer to abnormal or non-nutritive habits that involve the use of the jaw, teeth, or face, such as clenching, grinding, biting nails, chewing gum, or supporting the chin.

Q: What is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)?

A: TMJ is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. It can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement of the jaw.

Q: What is the relationship between parafunctional habits and TMJ?

A: Research has shown that parafunctional habits, such as clenching and grinding, can cause excessive pressure on the TMJ, leading to pain, swelling, and disruption of function.

Q: How common are parafunctional habits and TMJ among USU FKG students?

A: According to this study, 80.9% of USU FKG students had parafunctional habits, and 64.3% based on interviews and 83.5% based on clinical examinations had TMJ.

Q: What are the most common signs of TMJ?

A: The most common sign of TMJ is the disorder of the temporomandibular system function (STM), which is found at 81.7% of respondents.

Q: What are the most common impaired STM functions?

A: The highest impaired STM function is found in the habit of chewing gum (88.8%), followed by clenching and grinding (83.3% each), and supporting the chin (78.1%).

Q: What can be done to prevent or manage parafunctional habits and TMJ?

A: Relaxation techniques, physical exercise, and therapy can help reduce the risk of TMJ and manage parafunctional habits.

Q: Why is awareness of the impact of parafunctional habits on dental and jaw health important?

A: Awareness of the impact of parafunctional habits on dental and jaw health is important because it can help prevent the emergence of more serious TMJ disorders.

Q: What are the recommendations for educational and intervention programs?

A: Educational programs should be implemented to raise awareness of the impact of parafunctional habits on dental and jaw health, and intervention programs should be developed to help students manage and prevent parafunctional habits.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings, and the study only focuses on USU FKG students, which may not be representative of other populations.

Q: What are the future directions for research?

A: Future research should aim to explore the relationship between parafunctional habits and TMJ in other populations, examine other potential risk factors for TMJ, and develop and evaluate intervention programs to prevent and manage parafunctional habits.

Q: What can students do to reduce the risk of TMJ and manage parafunctional habits?

A: Students can learn relaxation techniques, engage in physical exercise, and seek therapy to reduce the risk of TMJ and manage parafunctional habits.

Q: Why is it important to address TMJ and parafunctional habits in students?

A: Addressing TMJ and parafunctional habits in students is important because it can help prevent the emergence of more serious TMJ disorders and improve overall dental and jaw health.