A relação entre a disfunção temporomandibular dolorosa e a fissura labiopalatal

Abstract

Functional disorders in individuals with cleft lip and palate (FL/P) may compromise the structures of the stomatognathic system (MIYAWAKI; TAKADA, 1997), and may be the cause of any complaints. The mechanisms of orofacial pain, in particular temporomandibular disorders (TMD), may be related to these conditions, causing a diffuse, non-specific or referred pain, correlating these conditions becomes a critical task. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of TMD, through validated instruments, in patients with cleft lip and palate (FL/P). This was a cross-sectional observational study of a quantitative and intentional random sample in patients with FL/P (n = 66) and a group of patients with TMD (n = 28), where three questionnaires were used - TMD screening questionnaire (AAOP), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (DN4). In the screening questionnaire, where the total of the studied sample answered affirmatively to at least one question, question 2 (p= .01) and question 7 (p = .021) showed the importance of investigating TMD in this group of patients. In the application of the Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) the results showed that the interference of pain in daily activities (p= .034) is statistically more significant for the fissured than the control group. Regarding neuropathic pain, there was no statistically significant difference. It can be concluded that the evaluation for orofacial pain, in particular TMD pain, has proven to be a valid approach that can be implemented - by the presence of TMD signs and symptoms - as a routine for services that work with patients with cleft lip and palate, and thus guide them to seek help for these pains that affect the ability to perform daily activities.