Temporomandibular disorders among school children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are well-documented in adults, but under-researched in pediatric populations.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and characteristics of TMD in children, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive survey of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) status in Saudi Arabian children aged 3-7 years.
• To determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD in this pediatric cohort.
• To analyze sex-based differences in TMD prevalence.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 502 children aged 3-7 years in a classroom setting.
• Clinical examination for signs and symptoms of TMD, including TMJ sounds, muscle tenderness, pain on movement, and restricted mouth opening.
• Statistical analysis to determine prevalence and significant differences between sexes.

Main Results:

• Overall prevalence of TMD was 16.53% (83/502 children).
• Females exhibited a significantly higher prevalence (18.35%) compared to males (14.46%) (P < 0.001).
• Specific signs included TMJ sounds (7.8%), muscle tenderness (6.77%), pain on movement (2.59%), mandibular deviation (3.39%), and restricted mouth opening (1.7%).

Conclusions:

• TMD is prevalent in young Saudi children, with a notable higher incidence in females.
• The study highlights the importance of routine TMJ examinations in pediatric clinical assessments.
• Early identification and intervention are recommended to prevent long-term TMJ issues.