OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in 352 aged edentulous individuals in Beijing area and to analyze the correlative risk factors.

METHODSThree hundred and fifty-two aged edentulous subjects were included in the study (198 males and 154 females). The adopted questionnaire was designed according to Helkimo index, and the subjects were examined by the same examiner who would record every result as well.

RESULTSThe prevalence of TMD's clinical positive signs in the edentulous subjects was 43.2% (152/352), among which temporomandibular joint (TMJ) noise [34.1% (120/352)] was the highest prevalent sign while TMJ pain on movemert was the lowest. The prevalence of mandibular movement deviation [18.2% (64/352)] fitted in between. The prevalence of TMD's clinical positive signs of male individuals was 36.9% (73/198), and the female was 51.3% (79/154). There was a significant difference in prevalence of TMD's clinical positive signs between males and females (P = 0.0067 < 0.01). The prevalence of TMD's clinical positive signs in denture wearing group was 38.6% (91/236) and that in no denture group was 52.6% (61/116). There was a significant correlation between the prevalence of TMD's clinical positive signs and wearing denture [P = 0.0125 < 0.05, OR = 1.767 (1.130 ∼ 2.763)].

CONCLUSIONSGender and malocclusion may be the risk factors of TMD in edentulous individuals.