Evaluation of the relationship between TMD symptoms and family history in orthodontic patients and controls

There is a controversy about the relationship between familial history, orthodontic treatment and the onset or intensification of Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). According to high prevalence of TMD and the importance of its diagnosis as well as the lack of enough information in determining the role of the familial traits in the inheritance of TMD symptoms, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between familial history and TMD by considering the orthodontic treatment.

The present case-control study was performed on 170 patients, aged over 14 years, referring to Shahid Beheshti Dental School and a private clinic. Patients with a history of head and neck trauma, history of orthognathic surgery, and systemic diseases were excluded.

The prevalence of TMD was 47.1% and the most detected sign was clicking. The prevalence of TMD in patients with orthodontic treatment was 56.6%, in patients with familial history was 60% and in patients with both orthodontic treatment and familial history was 63.6%. TMD had higher prevalence in the age over 26, in women, increased over bite and in patients who had parafunctional habits.

The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of TMD in patients with familial history was higher than those with no family history. Thus, orthodontic treatment should be considered an important environmental factor and family history as a risk factor for TMD in our treatments.