The prevalence of clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders in 76-,
81-, and 86-year-old subjects living in Helsinki, Finland, were studied,
using Helkimo's clinical dysfunction index. In percentage distribution,
clinically symptom-free subjects (Di 0) constituted 20% of all those
examined, and by percentage the largest group of subjects without signs
was that of the oldest men (47%). Women had a higher prevalence of signs
of temporomandibular disorders, and only 15% were clinically
symptom-free. Four per cent of all those examined had severe symptoms.
The commonest signs were impaired range of movement of the mandible and
impaired function of the temporomandibular joint