Association of Malocclusion with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Journal of clinical medicine Vol. 13; no. 16; p. 4909
• Main Authors: Ângelo, David Faustino, Faria-Teixeira, Maria Cristina, Maffia, Francesco, Sanz, David, Sarkis, Marcella, Marques, Rute, Mota, Beatriz, João, Ricardo São, Cardoso, Henrique José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 20-08-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Chi-square test; Classification; Complications and side effects; Cross-sectional studies; Dental occlusion; Diagnosis; Jaw; Malocclusion; Mouth; Pain; Risk factors; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Portugal; United States > US; bruxism; dental occlusion; malocclusion; temporomandibular disorders
• ISSN: 2077-0383; 2077-0383
• DOI: 10.3390/jcm13164909

: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. This cross-sectional study, conducted in a Portuguese TMD department, aimed to assess the relationship between malocclusion and TMD severity.
: Data on demographic variables, TMD clinical symptoms, and malocclusion classes were collected using the EUROTMJ database. The Chi-square test (χ
) identified associations, with their intensity measured by Cramér's V (φc).
: The study included 1170 patients (932 females and 238 males), with a mean age of 41.73 ± 16.80 years. Most patients exhibited Angle Class I malocclusion (85.5%), followed by Angle Class II (13.5%) and Angle Class III (1.1%). Class II malocclusion was associated with increased TMD severity (
< 0.001), higher myalgia levels (
= 0.002), more frequent disc displacement without reduction (
= 0.002) and lower maximum mouth opening values (Class II: 38.13 ± 7.78 mm, Class I: 39.93 ± 8.67 mm). Significant associations were also found between malocclusion type and arthralgia (
= 0.021), mouth-opening limitation (
= 0.016), and TMJ crepitus (
= 0.017). In cases of malocclusion, the presence of oral signs of bruxism explained the degree of myalgia, disc displacement, and severity (
= 0.003;
= 0.048;
= 0.045).
: This study highlights that (1) the most common type of dental malocclusion in TMD patients was Class I; (2) Class II malocclusion was associated with increased TMD severity and oral signs of bruxism; and (3) Class III was rarely observed in TMD consultation. The findings suggest that bruxism behavior in cases of malocclusion may be significant in TMD.