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Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a population of children and adolescents. TMD signs and symptoms were recorded in 1,134 subjects (593 males and 541 females; age range 5-15 years), divided into various groups according to the: (i) Angle dental class; (ii) presence and type of crossbite; (iii) gender; and (iv) age (ages 5–11 and 12–15 years). The percentages of signs and symptoms were compared using the χ2-test to determine the differences among the groups for the rates of TMD symptoms, bruxism, joint sounds, deviation during opening, reduced opening/lateral/protrusive movements, and myofascial pain. Subjects who were 12-15 years old showed a significantly higher prevalence of myofascial pain than those who were 5-11 years old (χ2 = 4.263; p<0.05). Females showed a significantly higher prevalence of myofascial pain than males (χ2 = 3.882; p<0.05). Subjects with posterior, unilateral crossbite showed a significantly higher prevalence of TMD symptoms (χ2 = 33.877; p<0.001) and reduction of functional movements (χ2 = 10.800; p<0.05) than those with no crossbite, or with anterior or posterior bilateral crossbite. TMD’s signs and symptoms seem to be associated to some definite characteristics of the patient, such as female gender, young age, and presence of posterior unilateral crossbite.
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Notes on contributors
Simona Tecco
Dr. Simona Tecco received her D.D.S. degree in 1999 at the University of Chieti, Italy, where she also received her Ph.D. in oral science. She has studied at the School of Orthodontics, Catholic University of Rome and has received a second Ph.D. from the University of Turin. Currently, she has a fellowship in research at the University G.D’Annunzio of Chieti. Dr. Tecco has authored many research articles and is an expert regarding surface electromyography of the masticatory muscles.
Vito Crincoli
Dr. Vito Crincoli is a researcher at the University of Bari, Italy. He is an author of many research articles on oral pathology and an expert of oral prostheses.
Beatrice Di Bisceglie
Dr. Beatrice Di Bisceglie received her D.D.S. degree in 2001 at the University of Bari, Italy. She studies at the School of Orthodontics at the University G.D'Annunzio, Chieti. She is now a Fellowship researcher at the University of Bari. She is author of many research articles on oral pathology and orthodontics.
Matteo Saccucci
Dr. Matteo Saccucci received his D.D.S. degree at the University La Sapienza of Roma, Italy. He studied at the School of Orthodontics at the University La Sapienza, Rome. He is now a Ph.D student at the University La Sapienza, Rome.
Monica Macrí
Dr. Monica Macrì received her D.D.S. degree in 2006 at the University of Chieti, Italy. She studied at the School of Orthodontics at the University G.D'Annunzio, Chieti. She is currently a staff member at the University of Chieti.
Antonella Polimeni
Dr. Antonella Plimeni is the Director of the Department of Oral Science, University La Sapienza of Rome, Italy. She is also the chairman of orthodontics at the same university. She is an expert in orthodontics and is author of many research articles on oral science.
Felice Festa
Dr. Felice Festa is the Director of the Post-graduate School of Orthodontics, University G.D'Annunzio, Chieti/Pescara. He is also the chairman of orthodontics at the same university. He is an expert in orthodontics and is author of many research articles on gnathology, oral science, and orthodontics.