Comparison of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and parafunctions in children with and without cardiovascular diseases

Aim: This study aimed to examine and compare the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and oral parafunctions in pediatric patients with and without cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Study design: A total of 295 children with CVD (the CVDG group) admitted to the Cardiology Department and another set of 295 children without CVD (the CG group) were included in this study. All children were 6-18 years old. This study was conducted in 2 stages, comprising a questionnaire (symptoms/parafunctional habits) and a temporomandibular joint examination (signs) based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). The data obtained were evaluated statistically.

Results: The two groups showed no significant difference in the prevalence of TMD symptoms/signs or parafunctional habits (p > 0.05). Although the anamnestic symptoms related to pain were lower in the CVDG group, the clinical examination results were similar in terms of pain findings between the two groups. Both anamnestic and clinical findings showed higher "joint noise" and "deviation" in the CVDG group (p < 0.05). With regard to parafunctional habits, "fingernail biting" and "bruxism", were higher in the CVDG group than in the CG group.

Conclusion: The prevalence of TMDs and oral parafunctions did not vary between children with and without CVD. However, a significant relationship was observed between the symptoms/signs of TMDs, parafunctional habits and the presence of CVD in children.