Impact of Unilateral Chewing Habit on Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Comparative Study

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are known to have a significant impact on muscle function, joint health, and quality of life. Unilateral chewing habit has come up as a possible risk factor. Objective: to assess the effect of chewing pattern correction on the signs and symptoms of joint disorders and muscle dysfunction. Methods: Thirty-one patients with a history of less than one year’s duration of unilateral chewing (Group A) and 36 patients with more than one year’s duration (Group B) participated in the study. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, Axis I, were recorded before and after restoring normal chewing patterns. Results: Patients with a prolonged history of unilateral chewing (Group B) exhibited more severe initial temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms than those with a shorter duration (Group A), with significant differences in right/left TMJ arthralgia and right disc displacement. Post-intervention, Group B showed significant improvement in multiple temporomandibular joint disorder manifestations compared to Group A. Conclusion: Restoration of normal chewing patterns leads to a marked reduction in the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder in protracted cases, however, unilateral chewing history. Behavioral management and conservative interventions are effective in improving TMJ functionality.