TMJ related findings in scuba-divers

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for the development of arthrogenic or myogenic pain after scuba-diving. Material and methods: The status of the stomatognatic system was evaluated in 294 scuba divers using questionnaires. These questionnaires included questions about gender, age, pain in the jaw muscles after the dive, pain in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) after the dive, subjective evaluation of mouth-opening, the number of dives in a year and the duration of dives, orthodontic treatments, accidents (whiplash/other head-neck traumata), oral habits (grinding, clenching) and the type of prosthetic restaurations (fixed/removable). Bivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors (stepwise inclusion, the significance level for entering variables was 0.05, and for removing variables 0.20). Results: 212 male (18-65 years, mean: 41.2 years) and 82 female (17-65 years, mean: 36.9 years) scuba divers were included. Logistic regression demonstrated that clenching (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-4.4, estimate: 2.4, p=0.003) and a age (CI: 1.04-1.15, odds ratio: 1.1, p<0.001) were factors increasing the risk of developing pain in the jaw muscles after the dive. The risk of the onset of pain in the TMJ after the dive was increased by clenching (CI: 1.1-3.5, estimate: 1.9, p= 0.035) and reported limited mouth opening (CI: 1.2-6.9, estimate: 2.9, p= 0.016). The number of dives in a year and the duration of dives did not show significant results. Conclusion: Clenching (nocturnal and/or daytime) and subjective limited mouth opening increase the risk of developing pain in the jaw muscles and/or the temporomandibular joint after dives.