Abstract

BIASOTTO-GONZALEZ, Daniela Aparecida et al. Correlation between temporomandibular dysfunction, cervical posture and quality of life. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2008, vol.18, n.1, pp. 79-86. ISSN 0104-1282.

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) presents several clinical manifestations, with high prevalence of postural changes and impacts on the individual's quality of life. Objective: To characterize the degree of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and to correlate it with cervical posture and the quality of life of undergraduate students. Materials and METHODS: Ninety-eight individuals between 18 and 33 years old of both sexes were selected by means of the questionnaires Fonseca's Anamnesis Index, which graduates TMD severity, and the Brazilian version of the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. Analysis of the head and neck posture was performed with the Alcimagem software, which offers a quantitative analysis of the angles. RESULTS: The data collected demonstrated that 68.36% of the subjects presented mild TMD, 23.47% presented moderate TMD and 8.16% presented severe TMD; the participants presented distortions in the Vitality and Pain domains (X²= 0.03), while the domains of Emotional and Social Aspects remained preserved. The average of cervical angle in individuals with TMD was 90.76°(±7.72), and an increase in cervical angle was observed related to the increase in TMD severity degree; however, this data was not statistically significant (r=0.09). CONCLUSION: TMD influenced the quality of life of the sample utilized. A possible increase in cervical angle related to an increased TMD severity degree is suggested.

Keywords : Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome; quality of life; posture.

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