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Systemic Joint Hypermobility And Maximum Mandibular Opening, Ted D. Thomas

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether people with generalized joint hypermobility also demonstrate hypermobility at the temporomandibular joint. In addition, an attempt was made to determine the relationship between general joint mobility, gender, temporomandibular joint symptoms, and oral parafunction.

Forty-seven physical therapy students worked in pairs under supervision to measure and record: 1) the Beighton hypermobility criteria, 2) maximum mandibular range of motion, and 3) a questionnaire of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and oral parafunctional habits.

The mean Beighton score for males was 1.21 and for females 2.14. Twelve out of the forty-seven subjects (15.5%) had a Beighton …