Signs and symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction in a population of Spanish children

Abstract

The craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) is a pathology that can appear at early ages. In a sample of 36 childrenresiding in Madrid (Spain), of both sexes, with ages between 7 and 13 years, the prevalence of signs and symptomsof CMD was analyzed. For that purpose, we did a dental and muscular examination, together with temporomandibularjoints, functional and occlusal examination, and completed with a specific questionnaire. The results revealedthat 100% showed some sign or sympthom of CMD. 77,8% of the pacients presented 3 or more CMD signs.The most prevalent were painful muscle palpation (94,4%), together with sliding anteriorly (91,7%), painful jointpalpation (69,4%), wear facets in permanent teeth (41,7%) and altered opening and closing trayectory (38,9%). Onthe other hand, only 38,9% showed any CMD symptom. The most prevalent symptoms were night teeth grinding(27,8%), followed by tooth sensitivity (19,4%) and fullness in the ears (16,7%). We conclude that in our sample,25% presented mild CMD (less that 3 signs or symptoms), 58,3% presented moderate CMD (from 3 to 6 signs orsymptoms) and 16,7% showed severe CMD (more than 6 symptoms). Nevertheless, it’s important to remark thatnone of these pacients came seeking treatment for his CMD and these symptoms were refered only when beingasked. Hence the importance of a comprehensive clinic history to precociously diagnose this pathology and havethe ability to prevent its progression.