OCCLUSION AS A RISK FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS. MEDITEX CLINIC. ANGOLA.

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2023.2.2.26

Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders are of multifactorial origin, where occlusal instability plays an important role. Objective: To identify the possible association of occlusion as a risk factor with the appearance of temporomandibular disorders in Angolan patients, at the Meditex Clinic, in Angola. Method: An analytical observational study of cases and controls was carried out in patients diagnosed with occlusion abnormalities entered into the Orthodontic consultation of the Meditex Clinic, in Luanda, Angola, in the period between August 2021 and June 2023. The universe was made up of 119 patients, the size of the necessary sample estimated to detect a ratio of disparities of 3.44. The variables studied were: temporomandibular disorders and malocclusions. Results: 68.42 % of the cases and 31,57 % of the controls presented maxillomandibular occlusal instability; posterior crossbite was 63,25 % in the cases and 34,21 % of the controls showed an excess of more than 4 mm. When there was maxillomandibular occlusal instability, the risk of temporomandibular disorders was 3.08 times higher (95 % CI 1.27-6.65) and patients with overshoot of more than 4 mm presented a 2.46 (95 % CI 1.09-5.43) times higher risk of suffering from temporomandibular disorders than subjects who did not. Conclusions: Maxillomandibular occlusal instability, overshoot and anterior open bite were the major risk factors in the appearance of temporomandibular disorders in Angolan patients.