Relationship of Psychological Factors to Temporomandibular Disorders in Children.

This study evaluated the incidence of TMDs and their relationship to psychological factors in children ages 6 to 12 years who sought dental treatment at the Ponta Grossa State University. Following ethics committee approval and informed consent, 75 children were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were craniofacial malformations, history of orthodontic treatment and maxillary fractures. TMD severity was classified, using the Fonseca anamnesis index questionnaire, as “no TMD” (control) and “mild,” “moderate” and “severe.” Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist, which measures behavior problems and competencies. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test (a=0.01). Regardless of gender, 40 children had internalizing problems (with TMD, n=32; without TMD, n=8). Children presenting internalizing problems and TMD were classified as having mild (n=23), moderate (n=8) and severe TMD (n=1). Thirty-one children interviewed had externalizing problems (with TMD, n=24; without TMD, n=7). Children presenting externalizing problems and TMD were classified as having mild (n=18), moderate (n=5) and severe TMD (n=1). In addition, 36 children had behavior problems (with TMD, n=26; without TMD, n=10), of whom 19 children had mild, 6 children had moderate and 1 child had severe TMD. Psychological problems were related to TMD in Brazilian children ages 6 to 12.