Comparison of Jaw Functional Limitations and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Masticatory Muscle Disorder and Disc Displacement Patients

Authors : Gülin Acar, Salih Eren Meral

Pages : 9-16

Doi:10.54617/adoklinikbilimler.1818618

View : 92 | Download : 179

Publication Date : 2026-01-27

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study compared jaw functional limitations and oral health-related quality of life in patients with Masticatory Muscles Disorder (MMD) and Internal Derangement (DD) using the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-20) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). It also investigated the reliability of these scales within each patient group. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients, 35 with MMD and 35 with DD, were included. Diagnoses were established based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and clinical examination. JFLS-20 and OHIP-14 were administered to assess functional limitations and oral healthrelated quality of life. Statistical analyses were performed using independent t-tests and Pearson correlation. Results: The DD group exhibited significantly higher JFLS-20 scores (p<0.001), indicating greater functional limitations. Similarly, OHIP-14 scores were significantly higher in DD patients (p=0.003), reflecting a greater impact on quality of life. JFLS- 20 demonstrated higher reliability in the DD group (α=0.915), whereas OHIP-14 showed higher reliability in the MMD group (α=0.862). No significant correlation was found between JFLS-20 and OHIP-14 in either group. Conclusions: DD patients experience more severe functional impairments and quality-of-life reductions than MMD patients. The differing reliability of JFLS-20 and OHIP-14 suggests that structural dysfunctions primarily impact function. On the other hand, myofascial pain is more closely associated with psychosocial distress. While the JFLS-20 may be more suitable for evaluating functional impairment in DD patients, the OHIP-14 may better capture the broader impact of MMD, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment approaches.
Keywords : Anketler ve ölçekler, Çiğneme kasları, Disk deplasmanı, Miyofasiyal ağrı disfonksiyon sendromu, Temporomandibular eklem bozukluğu, Yaşam kalitesi

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL