Controvérsias do ensaio experimental clínico sobre DTM

Abstract

Introduction: The temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a term that encompasses many clínical problems involving the masticatory muscles, the TMJ and associated structures. This work intends to conduct a historical approach, defining and clarifying definitions, terminologies and indexes used in occlusion’s research. Finally, conduct a literature review supported by a group of cases about the investigation itself, limitations of the studies and specific difficulties of research in Occlusion. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study in which we evaluated a sample of 87 patients consulted in the University Clinic of UCP-Viseu and in the Medical Clinic Corpus Dental, aged between 20 and 70 years. Approximately 43,7% of the individuals were males and 56,3% were females. These were both under investigation Index RDC/TMC (“Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders”) Axis I. In the end of the study, we analyze the difficulties and limitations, producing a checklist to future studies. Results: The orofacial pain was reported by 43,7% of the sample, which 32,2% of individuals were females. Of patients with orofacial pain 73,7% had pain during muscle’s palpation, and 42,1% were diagnosed with masticatory muscle disorders. 81,3% of these were subjected to a muscle relaxation splint therapy, of which 68,8% reported at the end of this study, being satisfied with the treatment. Conclusions: In order to minimize controversy studies of TMD, difficulties and limitations, it is important that obey a set of characteristics: the existence of a control group, sample homogeneity, which should be large. Although further studies are needed with a larger sample, we conclude that a significant part of the population suffers from painful symptoms in the face, and that muscle relaxation splint therapy contributing to the symptom remission.

Date of Award	Oct 2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Jorge Leitão (Supervisor) & Octávio Ribeiro (Co-Supervisor)