Sleep Disorders in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in an Adult Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Southern Brazil.

PURPOSE: To verify the prevalence of sleep disorders in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) subjects in a Brazilian population-based, cross-sectional survey (N = 1,643). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were assessed with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) Axes I and II and the Sleep Assessment Questionnaire. Student t test and Pearson chi-square test were used for continuous and categorical data analyses, respectively. RESULTS: TMD subjects had significantly worse sleep disorders than controls (Graded Chronic Pain Severity categories I through IV vs 0, respectively) in RDC/TMD Axis II variables. Sleep disorders were also worse in the Axis I TMD groups (myofascial pain and arthralgia/osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis), with the exception of disc displacements. CONCLUSION: TMD subjects had worse sleep disorders, mainly in Axis I TMD groups, with higher pain/disability levels.

General Health Quality of Life in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders in a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Brazil.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) on general health quality of life in a Brazilian population-based cross-sectional survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,643 patients were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Bref (WHOQOL-Bref) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axes I and II (RDC/TMD). Cross-tabulation of the data was carried out to compare TMD subjects to controls in all domains of the WHOQOL-Bref and the RDC/TMD. RESULTS: TMD subjects had significantly worse quality of life than controls in Axes I and II of the RDC/TMD and in all WHOQOL-Bref domains except for disc displacement. Osteoarthrosis was significantly different only in the WHOQOL-Bref physical domain. CONCLUSION: TMD subjects had worse general health quality of life, particularly in Axis I groups with higher pain/disability levels (muscle disorders/arthralgia/arthritis).

Depression and Somatization in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders in a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Brazil.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of depression and somatization in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a Brazilian population-based cross-sectional survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,643 subjects were assessed for TMD using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axes I and II and were assessed for depression and somatization using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. The data were cross-tabulated for comparison between TMD subjects and controls. RESULTS: TMD subjects had significantly worse depression and somatization levels than controls in the RDC/TMD Axis II. The levels were also worse in most Axis I TMD groups (muscle disorders and arthralgia/osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis). CONCLUSION: TMD subjects had worse depression and somatization, particularly in diagnostic groups with higher pain/disability levels.

Effects of the bite splint 15-day treatment termination in patients with temporomandibular disorder with a clinical history of sleep bruxism: a longitudinal single-cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of bite splint (BS) treatment termination in patients treated for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and sleep bruxism (SB). STUDY DESIGN: This longitudinal single-cohort study assessed 30 patients (29.5 ± 7.8 years old, 86.7% women) who were successfully treated with BS for SB and TMD for 30 days to 6 months prior to termination of the use of BS. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD Axes I and II, Sleep Assessment Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and BiteStrip were used to assess TMD signs and symptoms, sleep disorders, depression, and SB at baseline and after 15 days of BS disuse. RESULTS: TMD symptoms, including the disability points, characteristic pain intensity, and present pain at rest, increased significantly (P < 0.05). After 15 days of BS termination, there were no significant differences in SB and depression levels, sleep quality, and TMD signs. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with TMD and SB, BS treatment cessation is not recommended.

Analysis of the influence of a mandibular advancement device on sleep and sleep bruxism scores by means of the BiteStrip and the Sleep Assessment Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: A before-and-after experimental clinical study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of a mandibular advancement device (MAD; 75% advancement), made of a thermoplastic material, on sleep bruxism (SB) and sleep scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a habituation period of 1 week, SB scores were taken at baseline and after use of the MAD for 30 days. Scores were compared using the newly developed BiteStrip, which registers the number of contractions of the unilateral masseter muscle after a 5-hour period, giving a severity score from 0 to 3 after the registrations. To assess sleep, the Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), a screening tool with scores ranging from 0 to 68, was used before and after use of the MAD. Twenty-eight subjects (13 women, 15 men; mean age: 42.9 +/- 12.0 years) with a clinical history of SB and no spontaneous temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain were selected. The clinical diagnosis of either moderate or severe SB was further confirmed through use of the BiteStrip (scores 2 or 3) at baseline. A 30-day follow-up period was used for evaluation. Both methods were validated against polysomnography. In addition, common signs and symptoms of TMD based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders were also evaluated before and after use to assess the side effects of the MAD. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in both SB and sleep scores based on the BiteStrip and the SAQ (Wilcoxon signed rank and Student paired t test, P < .05). In the signs and symptoms of TMD, there was a significant reduction in temporomandibular joint sounds as well as in masseter and temporalis tenderness to palpation. None of the SB subjects experienced any breakage of the MAD. CONCLUSION: The MAD had a positive effect on SB and sleep scores, measured by the BiteStrip and the SAQ, respectively, and did not increase any traditional signs and symptoms of TMD in a 30-day evaluation period.

Occlusal risk factors for temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of occlusal variables (overbite; overjet; number of anterior and posterior teeth; bilateral canine guidance on lateral and protrusive movements; anterior centric slide; Angle Classes I, II, and III malocclusion) as risk indicators for the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two TMD patients with myofascial pain, with or without limited opening and arthralgia, as well as 30 age- and gender-matched pain-free concurrent controls were included. The association (critical odds ratio [OR] = 2.0) between the significant occlusal variables and TMD was calculated. Confounders were controlled in the inclusion-exclusion criteria as well as in the analysis stage (unconditional logistic regression) by variation in the OR (15%). RESULTS: Angle Class II malocclusion (crude OR = 8.0, confidence interval [CI] = 2.2 to 29.3) and the absence of bilateral canine guidance on lateral excursion (crude OR = 3.9, CI = 1.6 to 9.7) were statistically more common in patients than in controls. Spontaneous pain as well as pain on palpation (Class II or higher) were also statistically worse in TMD patients. Significant confounders (ie, employment, age, cigarette and alcohol consumption) acted as effect modifiers not changing the critical OR (adjusted OR Angle Class II and bilateral canine guidance = 8.3 to 12.4 and 2.2 to 4.1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of bilateral canine guidance on lateral excursion and particularly Angle Class II malocclusion were considered important risk indicators for the development of TMD in this investigation, even when some sociodemographic factors were considered as effect modifiers.