Self‐report of temporomandibular joint clicking and psychological factors: is there an association?

The objectives of the current study were to test the hypothesis that self-reported TMJ clicking sounds in adolescents are positively associated with non-specific somatic symptoms, self-perception of body image, and care-seeking behaviour. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 353 young adolescents (48.4% females) recruited from community (N=272) and orthodontic clinic (N=81) settings. Assessments included self-reported TMJ clicking, non-specific physical symptoms, body image concerns, and for the clinic sample only, the source of motivation for treatment. TMJ sounds were self-reported by 19% of the sample, and were associated with higher scores for non-specific physical symptoms and body image concerns (p<0.001). Adolescents who were self-motivated to seek orthodontic treatment had greater scores for non-specific physical symptoms, more body image concerns, and tended to report TMJ sounds more often (26.3% and 7.7% respectively; p=0.41) than those who were solely parent/family-motivated to seek treatment. Self-reported TMJ sounds in adolescents were associated with a propensity to somatisation and concerns with body image. Care-seeking adolescents have greater non-specific physical symptoms and body image concerns, and tend to report more frequent TMJ sounds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.