Citation

Aldridge RD, Fenlon MR. Br. J. Sports Med. 2004; 38(1): 69-73.

Affiliation

Prosthetics Department, Kings College London, UK. richardaldridge@bsac.co.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14751950

PMCID

PMC1724734

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) has been reported to be a common problem in divers, with a prevalence of up to 68%. No evidence for this is available. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of TMD in divers. METHOD: Sixty three subjects were asked to retrospectively complete a questionnaire on symptoms of TMD after diving in warm and cold water areas and in daily life. RESULTS: The prevalence of TMD was greater in female divers. The prevalence of TMD while diving was about 26%, comparable to that experienced in daily life. CONCLUSION: Improvements in mouthpiece design and lighter demand valves mean that TMD is now probably exacerbated by diving rather than caused by it.

Language: en