Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders Based on a Shortened Symptom Questionnaire of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and Its Screening Reliability for Children and Adolescents Aged 7-14 Years

Clinical profile in relation to age and gender of patients with temporomandibular disorders: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The present study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

METHODS

A total of 3362 TMD patients were included. Each participant had complete medical records according to the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). The clinical characteristics including symptoms and signs in relation to age and gender were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients seeking care was 29.89 ± 13.73Y, and 68.6% of patients were aged 16-35 years. The female-to-male ratio of patients was 2.2: 1, and the average age of males was significantly lower than that of females. The prevalence of clicking symptoms decreased with age, while the prevalence of pain symptoms and limitations in jaw movement increased with age. Females were more likely to have limitations in jaw movement than males. Among the patients with pain, the average visual analogue scale (VAS) was 2.96 ± 1.23. The average VAS score of acute TMD patients (≤ 3 months) was significantly higher than that of chronic TMD patients (> 3 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of TMD patients seeking care were young people. The number and average age of female patients was higher than the males. Female patients were more likely to have limitations in jaw movement than males.

The Role of Malocclusion and Oral Parafunctions in Predicting Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders-A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine to what extent malocclusion and parafunctional habits contribute to the development of signs and symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in schoolchildren with mixed dentition in Croatia in a sample of 338 children, aged 9 to 15 years.

METHODS

TMD signs and symptoms assessed by the clinician were joint function and pain, masticatory muscles tenderness, range of mandibular motion, and joint sounds. To evaluate subjective symptoms and parafunctions, children and parents were asked about the presence of headaches, jaw locking, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, pain during mouth opening, or bruxism, as well as parafunctions like biting pencils or nails, chewing hard candies or ice, daily gum chewing, opening bottles with teeth, engaging in jaw play, thumb-sucking, and clenching/grinding teeth.

RESULTS

At least one symptom of a TMD was pronounced in 142 participants (42.0%). The most commonly reported parafunction was pencil or nail biting, present in 25.1% of participants. Class II malocclusion increased the likelihood by 2.6 times, pencil or nail biting by 2.34 times, and clenching/grinding teeth by 8.9 times that the subject would exhibit at least one TMD symptom.

CONCLUSIONS

Every child with mixed dentition should undergo a brief examination of the TMJ, especially in cases of Class II malocclusion, pencil or nail biting, and teeth clenching or grinding, as these have all been identified as significant risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing TMD symptoms. This highlights the need for proactive screening and assessment by healthcare providers to reduce the risk and prevalence of TMDs in affected children and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Quantitative and qualitative condylar changes following stabilization splint therapy in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders with and without skeletal lateral mandibular asymmetry: a cone beam computed tomographic study

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) encompass pain and dysfunction in the jaw, muscles, and adjacent structures. This study aimed to explore the quantitative (condylar position, morphology) and qualitative (bone mineral density (BMD)) therapeutic outcomes following a stabilization splint (S.S.) therapy in adult patients diagnosed with TMD (Arthralgia) with/without lateral mandibular asymmetry (MA) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

In this retrospective clinical study, 60 adult TMD patients who received S.S. therapy were enrolled and allocated into the TMD group (TMDG) and TMD with MA group (TMD + MAG). The diagnosis was made according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) AXIS I. MA was measured from the mid-sagittal plane to the Menton point. CBCT was used to scan the temporomandibular joints pre- (T0) and post- (T1)-treatment for three-dimensional analysis. Intra- and intergroup statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed ranks and the Kruskal‒Wallis test.

RESULTS

For quantitative comparisons, there was a statistically significant difference between T0 and T1 in the joint spaces of TMD + MAG (anterior, superior, posterior, and coronal lateral on the deviated side as well as in the superior, coronal medial joint space of the contralateral side). Morphologically, the deviated side had a narrower condylar width, reduced condylar height, and a steeper eminence angle. In contrast, the contralateral side tended to have a greater condylar length. For qualitative measurements, BMD also showed statistical significance between T0 and T1 in the majority of the condyle slopes (AS, SS, PS, and LS on the deviated side and in AS and MS on the contralateral side) of TMD + MAG. Additionally, only the AS and PS showed significance in TMDG.

CONCLUSION

Multiple joint space widening (AJS and CMS) and narrowing (SJS, PJS, and CLS) could characterize the deviated side in TMD + MA. Factors like narrower condylar width, reduced condylar height, and steeper eminence angle on the deviated side can worsen TMD + MA. Proper alignment of the condyle-disc position is essential for optimal function and load distribution, potentially affecting bone mineral density (BMD). MA plays a prominent role in disturbing bone densities. S.S. therapy shows more evident outcomes in TMD + MAG (on the deviated side compared to the contralateral side) than the TMDG.