Signs and symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders in the elderly / Sinais e sintomas dos Transtornos Temporomandibulares em Idosos

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in the elderly and its association with palpation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory and cervical muscles as well as the presence of headache and joint noises. Methods: The sample consisted of 200 elderly of both genders (mean age: 69.2±5.7 years). The clinical evaluation of TMD signs and symptoms was divided into three stages: an anamnestic questionnaire, a TMJ evaluation, and a muscular examination. The results were analyzed through descriptive statistics as well as using χ2 and the tendency tests. Results: The presence of TMD was observed in 61% of the sample (mild: 43.5%, moderate: 13%, severe: 4.5%). A significantly greater prevalence of TMD was found for females (72.4%) compared with that for men (41.1%) (p<0.0001). Additionally, a significant association among TMD severity and palpation of the TMJ (p=0.0168), of masticatory muscles (p<0.0001), and of cervical muscles (p<0.0001) was verified. Also, there was a significant association between the frequency of headaches and the presence of TMD (p=0.0001). The association between the presence of joint noises and sensitivity to TMJ palpation was not significant. Conclusion: The elderly presented high TMD prevalence, mostly in females, with mild severity and related to TMJ and masticatory/cervical muscles palpation. Thus, the accomplishment of a detailed clinical examination to investigate the presence of such disorders is essential and it must not be neglected during the treatment of elderly patients. .

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a prevalência de Transtornos Temporomandibulares (DTM) em idosos e sua associação com a palpação da articulação temporomandibular (ATM), dos músculos mastigatórios e cervicais, bem como com a presença de dores de cabeça e ruídos articulares. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 200 idosos, de ambos os gêneros (média de idade: 69,2±5,7 anos). A avaliação clínica dos sinais e sintomas foi dividida em três etapas: aplicação de questionário anamnésico, avaliação da ATM e exame muscular. Os resultados foram avaliados por meio de estatística descritiva, teste do χ2 e teste de tendência. Resultados: A presença de DTM foi observada em 61% da amostra (leve: 43,5%, moderada: 13%, intensa/grave: 4,5%). Verificou-se prevalência significantemente maior de DTM para as mulheres (72,4%) em comparação aos homens (41,1%) (p<0,0001). Houve associação significante entre a severidade da DTM e a presença de dor à palpação da ATM (p=0,0168), dos músculos mastigatórios (p<0,0001) e cervicais (p<0,0001). Observou-se associação significante entre a frequência de dores de cabeça e a presença de DTM (p=0,0001). Não houve associação significante entre a presença de ruídos articulares e a sensibilidade à palpação da ATM. Conclusão: Os idosos apresentaram alta prevalência de DTM, em sua maioria no gênero feminino, de grau leve, relacionada à palpação na ATM e nos músculos mastigatórios e cervicais. Assim, é essencial a realização de um completo exame clínico para investigar a presença desses transtornos, especialmente durante o tratamento de idosos. .

Early treatment of Class III malocclusion: 10-year clinical follow-up

Angle Class III malocclusion has been a challenge for researchers concerning diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. It has a prevalence of 5 percent in the Brazilian population, and may have a genetic or environmental etiology. This malocclusion can be classified as dentoalveolar, skeletal or functional, which will determine the prognosis. Considering these topics, the aim of this study was to describe and discuss a clinical case with functional Class III malocclusion treated by a two-stage approach (interceptive and corrective), with a long-term follow-up. In this case, the patient was treated with a chincup and an Eschler arch, used simultaneously during 14 months, followed by corrective orthodontics. It should be noticed that, in this case, initial diagnosis at the centric relation allowed visualizing the anterior teeth in an edge-to-edge relationship, thereby favoring the prognosis. After completion of the treatment, the patient was followed for a 10-year period, and stability was observed. The clinical treatment results showed that it is possible to achieve favorable outcomes with early management in functional Class III malocclusion patients.