Olliver S J, Broadbent J M, Thomson W M, Farella M. Occlusal Features and TMJ Clicking: A 30-Year Evaluation from a Cohort Study. J Dent Res 2020; DOI: 10.1177/0022034520936235.

TMJ clicking was not associated with the presence of a posterior crossbite or abnormal overjet/overbite values during adolescence.

This group hypothesised that putative occlusal features identified during adolescence are associated with TMJ clicking later in life. The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study is a longitudinal birth cohort study investigation of 1,037 children (48% female) born in New Zealand, between 1972-1973, and assessed repeatedly since then. Associations between posterior crossbite, overbite, and overjet at age 15, as well as both self-reported and clinically assessed TMJ clicking sounds at age 45, were studied. Data were analysed, after controlling for sex, emotional style, self-reports of tooth clenching and sleep bruxism, and history of orthodontic treatment. Self-reported and examiner-reported TMJ clicking at age 45 affected 18% and 24%, respectively, and were not associated with the presence of a posterior crossbite or abnormal overjet/overbite values during adolescence. Self-reported history of tooth clenching and emotional style were associated with self-reported TMJ clicking later in life. Orthodontic treatment was not associated with TMJ clicking.