• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to estimate occlusal tooth wear and bruxism severity in TMD patients, and evaluate the effectiveness of the present age estimation method by occlusal tooth wear in TMD patients. Takei's age estimation method was applied to 163 subjects(56 controls, 107 TMD patients). The author analyzed the degree of occlusal tooth wear from the difference between estimated age and actual age. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In all age group, occlusal tooth wear in TMD patients is higher than those in asymptomatic controls. In 20's age group, a statistically significant difference was found. 2. In both gender, occlusal tooth wear in TMD patients is higher than those in asymptomatic control. In male, a significant difference was found. 3. Occlusal tooth wear in TMD patients with bruxism is significantly higher than that in control. 4. We found no significant difference in bruxism severity and occlusal tooth wear among the RDC/TMD subgroups. 5. Application of Takei's method would be still useful for age estimation in Korean. In case of age estimation of TMD patients using occlusal tooth wear, evaluation of the bruxism severity and appropriate correction according to age, sex and difference of geographical location should be considered.