Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction in children with primary dentition

J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2003 Fall;28(1):53-8. doi: 10.17796/jcpd.28.1.0772w75g91963670.

Abstract

The presence of signs and symptoms of TMD in 99 children with primary dentition was evaluated through clinical exam and a questionnaire. The results showed that 34.34% presented signs and/or symptoms of TMD. Among the children with symptoms, 50% presented at least one sign or more, differing significantly from the ones without symptoms, and from those 21.6% presented sign (p = 0.0185). The most prevalent symptom was frequent headache (7.07%) followed by jaw pain (4.04%), earache (3.03%) and difficulty in swallowing (3.03%). The most prevalent sign was jaw deviation (18.18%) followed by occlusal interferences (7.07%), asymmetric condylar movement (5.05%) and TMJ sounds (3.03%). We concluded that signs and symptoms of TMD are present in early ages, even though in a small number of children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Dental Occlusion, Traumatic / etiology
  • Earache / etiology
  • Facial Pain / etiology
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Condyle / physiopathology
  • Masticatory Muscles
  • Palpation
  • Sound
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / complications
  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Tooth, Deciduous