The diving mouthpiece and the conditions of the temporomandibular joints. Preliminary study

The article presents the results of research on the effects of a long-term exposure to non-physiological location of anatomical elements of the masticatory organ in the course of diving. The said exposure is connected with the utilisation of various types of diving mouthpieces.

The study was conducted on 186 professional divers manifesting various conditions occurring immediately upon diving completion and connected with the temporomandibular joints and muscles lifting the mandible. The most frequently reported pain affected the areas of cervical spine and shoulder ring, earache and reflex pain, an exhausting gritting of teeth.