Temporomandibular dysfunction in a 7-25 and more years-old population. Matanzas municipality

Abstract

The disturbances of the temporomandibular joint may appear in any sex, at any age, and they considerably affect its function. The purpose of this study was carrying out a descriptive, transversal study, of the prevalence of the temporomandibular dysfunction in a 7 – 25 and more years-old population from different schools of the Matanzas municipality. The sample was obtained on the basis of a probabilistic and multistage scheme: 1 860 subjects were grouped by age and sex. Applying the Krogh Paulsen´ test we arrived to three diagnoses: Dysfunction, Dysfunction risk or Presence of perturbation signs. There was 38,71 % of dysfunction prevalence, showing a parallel increase with ages. The 25 and more years-old group was the most affected (75, 61 %). 25, 65 % presented two or more positive signs (Risk) and 19, 30 % presented only one positive sign (Perturbation). In the last two categories values diminished as age increased, logically in inverse proportion to dysfunction. There were not behavior differences in sexes. The study and adequate training in a method of examination of the temporomandibular functions will be of a valuable diagnostic help in every estomatologic specialty.