Association between temporomandibular disorders and pubertal development: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Oral health
• Developmental biology
• Psychosomatic medicine

Background:

• Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are complex conditions.
• Pubertal development significantly impacts physiological and psychological changes.
• The relationship between pubertal development and TMDs requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the association between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and pubertal development.
• To synthesize evidence on the etiology of TMDs in relation to pubertal stages.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review adopting Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for etiological associations.
• Searched PubMed and LIVIVO databases (January 1980 - May 2018).
• Included four publications meeting specific inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

• TMD prevalence increases with pubertal development, as indicated by the Pubertal Development Scale.
• No significant sex differences in TMD prevalence or diagnosis were observed.
• Females reported more TMD anamnestic variables and pain during pubertal maturity, possibly linked to higher depression and somatisation rates.

Conclusions:

• Pubertal development is associated with an increased prevalence of TMDs.
• Psychosocial factors like depression and somatisation may influence TMD symptom reporting in females during puberty.
• Further prospective studies with standardized diagnostic methods are needed to clarify the TMD-puberty relationship.