Anamnestic evaluation of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms in asthmatic children

Abstract

Mechanical respiratory dysfunction in asthmatic children, contributing to overuse the secondary respiratory muscles related to cervical spine and allergic sinunasal alterations, leading to development of mouth breathing (MB), might induce craniocervical disorders and predispose asthmatic patients to Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). The purpose of this study was to assess the presence and features of TMD symptoms in
asthmatic children by using the Fonseca anamnestic index (1994). The
sample consisted of 30 asthmatic children (7.97± 2.58 years old) who were submitted to TMD evaluation by the use of Fonseca index, and were
classified as mouth-breathing children in accordance to Emerson and
Cordeiro (1993). Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test
and Z-test (Mann Whitney U-test, p£0,05). Results show that more than 93% of the patients presented TMD symptoms and a great number of
patients were classified as showing mild TMD. Temporomandibular joint
pain as well as difficulty during mouth opening were significantly more
frequently in asthmatic girls than in boys. Mouth breathing was observed
in 90% of the patients and M B degree was proportional to TMD severity.
Such results suggest that asthma features, like mechanical respiratory
dysfunction and mouth breathing, could be related to the development of
TMD symptoms in asthmatic children. Hence a TMD evaluation must be
part of the physical therapy program designed for asthmatic children.