Abstract

AREBALO, Iara Roberta et al. Relationship between temporomandibular disorders and posterior crossbite. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.58, n.3, pp. 323-326. ISSN 1981-8637.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in children with posterior crossbite. METHODS: A total of 456 children aged between seven and twelve years of age with mixed dentition were assessed. Of these, 42 patients with posterior crossbite malocclusion were selected. Clinical examination consisted of observation of parafunctional habits and presence or absence of clinical signs of TMD in patients with posterior crossbite. The patients were interviewed in the presence of their parents to determine the presence of signs and symptoms of TMD and their frequency. RESULTS: The results showed that finger sucking and / or use of pacifiers (80.95%) and onychophagy (57.14%) were the most prevalent parafunctional habits. The most common clinical sign of TMD was joint noise (21.42%) and the most common symptoms were headaches (59.25%) and fatigue or muscle pain while chewing (38.09%). CONCLUSION: Patients with posterior crossbite present a high incidence of TMD symptoms. The most common signs and symptoms were headache and muscle fatigue. However, it is not possible to state the extent to which posterior crossbite is a predisposing factor or merely coincidental.

Keywords : habits; malocclusion; temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome.