Relationship of Malocclusions with Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint in Children of CALI-Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of malocclusion with the presence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical examination was performed in 87 patients (from 4 to 14 years of age) who attended the dentistry clinics of Universidad del Valle. RESULTS: The 77 patients studied had malocclusions; 55 patients had TMD and 67.3% were female. The most frequent symptom of TMD was articular unilateral noise with 33.8%, followed by pain in at least one masticatory muscle with 26%. TMJ pain was observed in 24.7% of the patients. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence and severity of TMD with type of dentition and transverse malocclusion, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of TMD in children with malocclusion presented in a high frequency. TMD depends on the type of dentition and its severity is dependent on transverse malocclusion.