Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of occlusal factors to determine the extent of their role in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Two groups were selected: a patient group (I) of 100 patients with TMD problems (pain and clicking) and a control group (II) of 100. Each individual had to have 28 permanent teeth. A clinical evaluation was conducted and the models were evaluated according to the criteria of the Angle Classes and the Reinhardt Index, with the number of permanent teeth (A), the number of the correctly (R) and the number of incorrectly (F) related antagonist pairs of teeth. The individuals had to observe the preference of their chewing side. The results of this investigation revealed: the number of F can be used as an occlusal indicator for possible functional disorders (p=0.041). Individuals with one chewing side have more signs and symptoms of TMD (p<6.22x10(-9)).