Relationship between occlusal support zones and temporomandibular disorders in the elderly population

This study aims to analyze the relationship between loss of occlusal support zones (OSZs) and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and also among sociodemographic factors (gender, education level, and economic status) in an elderly population. This cross-sectional study included 100 elderly patients aged >60 years with complete dentition or loss of teeth without being replaced by dentures at Kramat Jati Health Center and Dental Hospital Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia. Subjects were screened to collect OSZ data based on the Eichner index and interviewed using the Temporomandibular Disorder-Diagnostic Index (TMD-DI) questionnaire. No association was observed between OSZs and TMDs in the elderly people. However, there was an increase in the number of subjects experiencing TMDs as the OSZs decreased. The analysis test between OSZs and sociodemographic factors did not result in a significant difference, including the comparison between TMDs and gender and education level. However, there was a significant difference between TMDs and economic status. The loss of OSZs could increase the risk of TMDs among the elderly population at Kramat Jati Health Center and Dental Hospital Faculty of Dentistry of Universitas Indonesia, whereas sociodemographic factors appeared to have little impact on OSZs and TMDs.