Temporomandibular Dysfunction and Cervical Posture

The evaluation of signs and symptoms of TMD was obtained from a Questionnaire (15) which includes information regarding difficulties opening the mouth and movement of the mandible, pains in the head, nape of the neck, neck or joint regions, noise in the temporomandibular joints, and the habit of clenching or grinding the teeth. The questionnaire is comprised of 10 questions with possible answers of yes (10 points), sometimes (5 points) and no (0 points). For each question, only one answer can be checked. The total score is used to classify the severity of the TMD as severe (70 to 100 points), moderate (45 to 65), mild (20 to 40) and no dysfunction (0 to 15).

The clinical (visual) assessment of head posture was conducted using a postural grid. Each subject was asked to remain in his or her normal posture, in a standing position. The self balance position was used to standardize the posture of each subject, asking them to look straight ahead, parallel to the floor, keeping the gaze horizontal

Inclusion criteria

• adolescents, aged between 10 and 20 years. As criteria for inclusion, age group and the presence of first permanent molar

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, those with absent first molars and cases where it was impossible to clinically evaluate the occlusion were excluded.