Frequency of temporomandibular disorder diagnosis: a study on 102 patients undergoing dental treatment

Epidemiological studies show that the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is high, ranging from 9.8 to 74%, it is important that the diagnosis be made as early as possible to avoid future clinical failure. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of TMD in patients attended at the School of Dentistry of Federal University of Juiz de Fora (FO / UFJF), associated with age, gender and clinical group. Material and methods: 102 patients of both sexes were selected during treatment at FO / UFJF in Periodontics I and II, Partial Denture (RPD), Total Denture (TD), Secondary Care Clinic I and II disciplines, aged above 18 years-old. Patients were submitted to axis I of the RDC / TMD. Results: Of the total sample, 53.9% had a diagnosis of TMD. Of these, 67.3% were female and 52.7% were between 41-60 years. The most prevalent diagnosis of TMD was disc displacement with reduction corresponding to 18.6% of the population. RPD and TD clinics were, in this order, those who had more patients with diagnoses of TMD, respectively, 27.3% and 25.5% of the sample with TMD. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of patients had at least one sign or symptom of TMD. The evaluated sample shows how relevant is the evaluation of the masticatory apparatus as a whole, where teeth, muscles and temporomandibular joints, are viewed with the same level functional importance, regardless of which treatment the patient will receive.