Dysfunction and pain temporomandibular disorder caused by impeded eruption of third mandibular molars

Introduction. There are reports in literature which indicate the connection between impacted third molars and occurrence of symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunctions and headaches. Objectives. The aim of this study was evaluation of the outcome of patients who reported specific symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction and had impacted mandibular third molars. Materials and method. The research material consisted of 10 women who reported to the Department of Craniomandibular Disfunctions of the Medical University in Lublin, Poland, with pain and acoustic symptoms in the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. During preliminary therapy, the patients used a silicone occlusal device; ionotherapy was ordered and the patients were recommended to eliminate parafunctions. Results. Clicks before treatments were present in 6 patients, after treatment with silicone occlusal device and ionotherapy with Profenid gel in 5 patients, while two years after extraction of the impacted teeth the clicks were no longer present, and differences in the presence of clicks analyses by means of the Q-Cochran test were statistically significant between examinations 1m vs.3 (Q=10.33; p<0.01) and examinations 2 vs.3 (Q=8.40; p<0.05). Conclusions. The study showed that extraction of the mandibular third molars can cause regression of some symptoms of craniomandibular disorders.