The incidence of TMJ dysfunction in patients who have suffered a cervical whiplash injury following a traffic accident

Forty consecutive patients with a cervical whiplash injury were examined and compared with 40 matched controls. The incidence of signs and symptoms was high in both groups. Temporomandibular joint pain (P .001), limitation of mouth opening (P .01), and masticatory muscle tenderness (P > .01) were found significantly more frequently in the patient group, while the presence of joint sounds, deviation during mouth opening, and the overall presence of a symptom were not significantly different between groups. When asked whether they would seek treatment for the observed signs and symptoms, a significantly higher number of the whiplash group responded positively when compared to the control group. These findings warrant further study and suggest the benefit of a routine examination of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory system in patients with cervical whiplash injury.