Assessment of self-rated pain perception and whole salivary cortisol levels among adolescents with and without temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the self-perceived pain perception (PP) and whole salivary cortisol levels (CL) among adolescents with and without temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

METHODS

Adolescents between 15 and 17 years were included. Participants were categorized into three groups: Group 1: patients with TMD; Group 2: nocturnalbruxers without TMD; and Group 3: controls. Demographic data CL and self-rated PP were assessed. A p-value < 0.05 was proposed as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients (18 per group) were included. Scores of self-rated PP in the affected TMJ were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p < 0.001). Whole salivary CL were higher in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.01) than in Group 3. Whole salivary CL were higher in Group 2 than Group 3 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Whole salivary CL are higher in adolescents with TMD, and there is a direct relationship between self-rated PP in the TMJ area and salivary CL.