Evaluation of the Relationship Between TMD Symptoms and Family History in Orthodontic patients and Controls

Aim: There is a controversy on the relationship between familial history, orthodontic treatment, and the onset or intensification of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). According to the high prevalence of TMD, the importance of its diagnosis, and the lack of sufficient information in determining the role of the familial traits in the inheritance of TMD symptoms, the present study aims to determine the relationship between familial history and TMD considering the orthodontic treatment. Material and Method: The present case-control study was performed on 170 patients, aged over 14 years, referring to Shahid Beheshti Dental School and a private clinic. Patients with a history of head and neck trauma, history of orthognathic surgery, and systemic diseases were excluded. Results: The prevalence of TMD was 47.1%, and clicking was the most frequently detected sign. The prevalence of TMD was 56.6% in patients with orthodontic treatment, 60% in patients with familial history, and 63.6% in patients with both orthodontic treatment and family history. TMD had a higher prevalence in women aged over 26 years, increased overbite, and in patients with parafunctional habits. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of TMD in patients with familial history was higher than those with no family history. Thus, orthodontic treatment should be considered an important environmental factor and family history as a risk factor for TMD in our treatments.