Profile of temporomandibular disorder patients submitted to dental and physiotherapeutic treatment at a private clinic

Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the term used in Dentistry to define the structural and disorder changes affect the physiology of the masticatory system composed of TMJ and related to musculoskeletal structures. Objective: To conduct a descriptive, transversal and documentary study aiming to determine the profile of 14 TMD patients undergoing simultaneous dental and physiotherapeutic treatment at a private practice of the city of Fortaleza-Ce. Material and methods: The following instruments for the collection of the data were employed: files registering the evaluation and evolution, findings of the radiographic examinations and forms. Data were statistically analyzed through SPSS software, version 10.0. Results: Most of the sample was composed by females aged 32 years (+/-10.60) in average, mainly complaining about chronic headache, masticatory myalgia , TMJ pain, cervicalgy, otalgia, among others. The complete sample presented, at least, one pathology associated to and/or concomitant to TMD. The radiographic findings showed TMJ alterations and tooth losses. Analgesics were the most used drugs. Conclusion: TMD is a complex syndrome, with many etiologies and symptoms, aggravating and perpetuating factors, requiring multiple and even more specialized therapeutic management attempting treatment success.