Are Signs of Temporomandibular Disorders Stable and Predictable in Adolescents With Headache?

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to study changes in signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and factors predicting TMD signs in adolescents with and without headache. A population-based sample (n = 212) of 13-year-olds with and without headache was re-examined at the age of 16. The study included a questionnaire, face-to-face interview and somatic examination. In addition, a neurological examination, a muscle evaluation and a stomatognathic examination were performed. Significant changes were seen in TMD signs during the follow-up, but TMD signs at the end of the follow-up could not be predicted by baseline headache, sleeping difficulties, depression or muscle pain. TMD signs at the age of 16 were associated with female gender and muscle pain. We conclude that considerable changes in TMD signs occur in the follow-up of adolescents with and without headache. Headache-related TMD are not predictable in adolescents with and without headache.

Are Occlusal Characteristics, Headache, Parafunctional Habits and Clicking Sounds Associated with the Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder in Adolescents?

“…Crackling may occur due to degenerative disc problems, with the leakage of synovial fluid between the supra and infra disc compartments16, 26 ) . In the present study, joints noises were presented by clicking in 82.4% of the participants with TMD, which is in agreement with studies reporting this to be a frequent sign of this disorder7, 29 ) .…”

“…Numerous clinical conditions, such as poor posture, malocclusion and bruxism (teeth clenching/grinding), may be related to the muscles of mastication, the temporomandibular joint and associated structures, giving rise to TMD2 ) . The literature also suggests that occlusal abnormalities may be causes of headache, TMD and facial pain6, 7 ) and may affect facial growth and esthetics, leading to a tendency toward either vertical or horizontal facial growth (long face or short face pattern, respectively)8 ) . Our research group previoulsy showed that the occurrence of headache in children and adolescentes with signs/symptoms of TMD is frequent, regardless of gender and intensity of signs and symptoms of TMD9 ) .…”

Headache Associated With Temporomandibular Disorders Among Young Brazilian Adolescents

“…Previous studies on adolescents also found associations between the prevalence of TMD and sex, 9,12,43 and an association between pubertal development and TMD pain both in boys and in girls has been observed. 43 Girls seem to be more likely to report HAs compared with boys 15,23,29,43,44 and it is speculated that a combination of developmental and hormonal changes would be responsible for increasing HAs in girls after menarche.…”

“…10,11 HA prevalence rates of up to 51% have been reported in children/adolescents. 11 The relationship between HA and TMD is not predictable, 12 but HA are one of the most commonly associated conditions observed in children and adolescents diagnosed with TMD. [13][14][15][16] Moreover, signs and symptoms of TMD occur more often in adolescents with HA in comparison with those who are HA-free.…”

Association between headache and temporomandibular joint disorders in children and adolescents

“…However, this relationship has not always been investigated or described (19) and some studies have only cited age as exerting an influence on the association between these clinical conditions (20,21). Nevertheless, a recent large study by Tecco et al reported a significant association between TMD/headache and patient characteristics, such as female gender, young age, and the presence of posterior unilateral crossbite (22).…”