Assessment of sleep quality in adolescents with temporomandibular disorders

To determine the frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and investigate their relationship with sleep quality in 18 and 19-year-old adolescents.

Cross-sectional design; dysfunctions were diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in 200 students. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution and using the chi-square test and Student's t test.

35.5% of the adolescents had dysfunctions. The mean total score of adolescents with dysfunctions was 7.34 and 4.76 for adolescents without dysfunctions (p < 0.001). 82% of the participants were free from dysfunctions. 17% of those with dysfunctions had good sleep quality.

The frequency of dysfunctions was elevated and dysfunctions were associated with poor sleep quality. The study design does not allow it to be determined whether poor sleep quality is a cause or a consequence of TMDs, which can be elucidated in future studies.