Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to carry out a case-control research study to assess occurrence of clicking of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in order to establish the relationship between TMJ clicking and the genotype of "ANKH inorganic pyrophosphate transport regulator" (ANKH) polymorphisms. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A sample of 41 first-year dental residents was selected. Each was examined using standard clinical procedures and genotyping techniques. RESULTS: The participation rate was 91.8 %. The prevalence of TMJ clicking was 51.2 % (95 % CI: 35.7-66.7 %). Occurrence of TMJ clicking was not related to age, gender and genotypes of ANKH-OR as well as ANKH-TR polymorphisms (p ≥ 0.165). CONCLUSION: A similar distribution of ANKH genotypes in TMJ clicking and asymptomatic individuals has been demonstrated by this study. A high percentage of TMJ clicking has been confirmed. Future investigations are indicated.