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Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in children based on physical signs
J W Stockstill1, J F Bowley, D Dunning
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, NE, USA.
Insights
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) signs like jaw clicking were studied in children. Prevalence varied between years, suggesting a need for standardized examination techniques for joint sounds.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) manifest with restricted jaw movement and audible joint sounds.
- Assessing TMD signs in pediatric populations is crucial for understanding masticatory system health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence of TMD signs in non-patient children aged six to twelve.
- To investigate statistical relationships between age, occlusal measurements, and joint sounds.
Main Methods:
- Four examiners utilized standardized techniques to assess TMD signs in children.
- Data collected in 1994 (n=185) and 1995 (n=237) included audible joint sounds, overbite, and overjet measurements.
Main Results:
- Audible joint sounds were present in 7.3% of children in 1994 and 3% in 1995.
- Significant correlations were found between age and overbite, overjet, and clicking in 1994.
- In 1995, significant correlations existed for overbite and overjet, but not clicking.
Conclusions:
- Prevalence rates of TMD signs, specifically joint sounds, varied between the two examination years.
- Discrepancies highlight a potential need for standardized examination protocols for joint sounds in pediatric TMD assessment.
Abstract:
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are related to the function and integrity of the masticatory system with restricted jaw movement and/or joint clicking or crepitus, for example, dominating the clinical signs of these disorders. The prevalence of TMD signs was examined in non-patient children ages six to twelve (1994 n = 185, 1995 n = 237) by four examiners using standardized techniques. Of significance was the finding that 7.3 percent of the 1994 children had audible joint sounds, while the 1995 examination reported 3 percent. Statistically significant relationships (p < 0.05) between the ages of the subjects and measurements of overbite (p < 0.0001), overjet (p < 0.01), and clicking (p < 0.005) were calculated from the 1994 data, while significant correlations for overbite (p < 0.001) and overjet (p < 0.01), but not clicking were found in the 1995 examination. One study of four- to six-year-old nonpatients reported a higher occurrence of joint sounds (48 percent). This disparity indicates a possible need for standardization of examination techniques specifically targeting joint sounds and their role in TM disorders.
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