Videofluoroscopic evaluation of mastication and swallowing in individuals with TMD

• Published in: Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology Vol. 78; no. 4; pp. 24 - 28
• Main Authors: Maffei, Carla, Mello, Marçal Motta de, Biase, Noemi Grigoletto de, Pasetti, Lilian, Camargo, Paulo A. Monteiro, Silvério, Kelly Cristina Alves, Gonçalves, Maria Inês Rebelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Elsevier Editora Ltda 01-07-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; deglutition disorders; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Deglutition Disorders - physiopathology; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Male; Mastication - physiology; Original; Severity of Illness Index; temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - complications; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - physiopathology; temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome; Young Adult; temporomandibular joint; deglutition disorders; temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome
• ISSN: 1808-8694; 1808-8686
• DOI: 10.1590/S1808-86942012000400006

To study mastication and swallowing disorders in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Objective: To investigate mastication and swallowing disorders in patients with severe TMD referred to surgery.
Materials and Methods: Clinical and experimental study involving ten individuals with TMD submitted to deglutition videofluoroscopy. These patients did not have posterior teeth, mastication pain and food replacement in favor of pasty consistence food. The assessment of the oral and pharyngeal phases approached the following aspects: side of onset and preferential side for chewing, premature escape, remains of food residues in the oral cavity or in the pharyngeal recesses, number of necessary swallowing efforts, laryngeal penetration and/or tracheal aspiration.
Results: During mastication and the oral phase we observed tongue compensatory movements upon chewing (n = 7; 70%), premature escape (n = 4; 40%), food remains in the cavity after swallowing (n = 5; 50%) and an excessive number of deglutition efforts (n = 5; 50%). On the pharyngeal phase we observed food remains in the valleculae (n = 6; 60%), in the pyriform sinuses (n = 4; 40%); laryngeal penetration (n = 1; 10%) and tracheal aspiration (n = 4; 40%).
Conclusion: TMD patients may have alterations in their chewing and swallowing patterns, with laryngeal penetration and/or tracheal aspiration. The study indicates the need for a multidisciplinary assessment because of dysphagia in TMD patients.