Stress may affect the function of all the components of the masticatory system and may ultimately lead to differentiated symptoms and finally to systemic and structural dysfunctions.
Objective: To determine the effect of stress on the masticatory muscles function in young healthy adults.
Material and methods: A total of 201 young, Angle's first class, healthy volunteers, 103 female and 98 male, in the age between 18 and 21 years were recruited into the study. All the participants underwent clinical examination according to the Slavicek scheme, questionnaire survey according to Perceived Stress Scale, and assessment of masticatory muscles function in central occlusion.
Results: Symptoms of masticatory system dysfunction were found in the group of 86 subjects (46,24%). All the muscles activity in central occlusion was comparable in female and male groups. Mean values of masseters activities in the group of low stress subjects (75,52 µV±15,97) were statistically different from the groups with medium (82,43 µV±15,04) and high (81,33±12,05) perceived stress (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Chronic stress may reveal or exacerbate symptoms of masticatory dysfunction.