Epidemiologic evaluation of TMJ health status in 11-14 years-old adolescentsin Mashhad city

Recently, the number of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been increased. The aim of this study was to conduct epidemiologic evaluation of TMJ health status among adolescents aged 11-14 years old in Mashhad.

This cross sectional study included 1066 students who were selected through cluster sampling method. A questionnaire was used to collect data for each student. The questionnaire composed of two parts. In history section, data on TMD related signs and symptoms were collected. In part 2, the results of TMJ clinical examination was collected at rest and movement. Other conditions such as muscular tenderness, mandibular deviation, limitation in mandibular movement and finally occlusion and prematurity at lateral mandibular movement were recorded as well. Data was analyzed by using chi-squre and logistic regression at α =0.05.

The overall prevalence of TMD was 23.5%. The most frequent TMD sign was muscle tenderness. TMJ tenderness in Lateral Movement, clicking, headache, Mandibular deflection, TMJ tenderness in resting position, mandibular deviation, limitation in lateral movement, limitation in opening the mouth were less prevalent respectively. The most important etiologic factor of TMD was prematurity at balancing side of lateral movement and next was parafunctional habits, trauma, hand under the chin, or one side of the face as a body posture, deep bite malocclusion and unilateral chewing.

The most frequent TMD sign was muscle tenderness and the most important etiologic factor of TMD was prematurity at balancing side of lateral movement.