Abstract
The TMJ dysfunction syndrome has been defined as the presence of one of or more of the following symptoms. These symptoms are: (a) pain and tenderness in the region of the muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ); (b) sounds during condylar movements; (c) limitation of mandibular movement, etc. In addition, the abscence of organic changes in the TMJ must be evident. This report is an epidemiological study the purpose of which is to understand better the prevalance of the symptoms of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome and to aim at systematizing dental care for this syndrome in adolescents. The subjects were 2198 children aged 10-18 years (1095 boys and 1103 girls). The results obtained were as follows: 1. The incidence of TMJ sounds involved 188 children (8.6%) 98 boys (8.9%) and 90 girls (8.2%) and no significant differences were found between boys and girls.2. The incidence of the pain in the region of TMJ involved 37 children (1.7%) -16 boys (1.5%) and 21 girls (1.9%)- and no significant difference were found between boys and girls.3. The incidence of the limitation of mandibular movement involved 6 children (0.3%) -3 boys (0.3%)- and 3 girls (0.2%) and no significant difference were found between boys and girls.4. The incidence of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome involved 215 children (9.8%) -110 boys (10.1%) and 105 girls (9.5%)- and no significant difference were found between boys and girls. The most frequently mentioned this syndrome was single and concerning the frequency of the individual symptoms, the most common one was that of TMJ sounds.
