Prevalencia de trastornos temporomandibulares en adolescentes del Sur de Chile, año 2015

Objective

To determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in adolescents of southern Chile, in 2015.

Material and methods

A prevalence study was conducted on a selected group of 186 adolescents with a mean of age of 15.4 ± 1.25 years, and 51.1% male, from 29 schools in Valdivia, Chile, between June and October 2015. A calibrated researcher calibrated (kappa = 0.86) carried out a clinical examination according to the instructions of the Axis I and some questions of the Axis II of “Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders” (RDC/TMD) application. The type of TMD was classified according to the diagnostic algorithm: muscular disorder (group 1), articular disorder (group 2), and articular damage (group 3). A self-report of headache, clenching teeth sensation, and articular noise was registered. The prevalence of TMD was analysed according to age and gender of the patients (Chi-squared and Student t test; P < .05).

Results

Headache was recorded by 41% of the adolescents, with 32.5% reporting a sensation of clenching teeth, and 25.8% felt some articular noise. According to the RDC/TMD, the prevalence of TMD was 26.66%, with a male: female ration of 1:1.27 (P = .24). A muscular disorder was present in 10.8% of them, and 11.3% had articular damage.

Conclusion

Four out of ten adolescents, mostly female, manifested some kind of pain or temporomandibular discomfort. The prevalence of TMD was higher in number when compared to similar studies, but lower than that reported in young adults.