Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury More prone to Experience TMJ Dysfunction suggests a new study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and related factors in patients with traumatic brain injury.

A total of 60 participants, 30 patients with traumatic brain injury and 30 healthy volunteers of similar age, have been included in this study, which was designed as a hospital-based cross sectional study. Fonseca questionnaire was used to evaluate and classify the temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Temporomandibular joint range of motion was evaluated with a digital calliper, and masticatory muscles pressure pain threshold was evaluated with an algometer. Labial commissure angle measurement was used to evaluate the severity of facial paralysis. Complications related to traumatic brain injury were recorded in patients with traumatic brain injury.


Results
According to Fonseca questionnaire score, 80% of traumatic brain injury patients and 16.7% of the control group had temporomandibular dysfunction (p < .001). In the intergroup comparison, a significant decrease was found in all temporomandibular range of motion and masticatory muscles pressure pain threshold parameters in favour of the traumatic brain injury group (p < .001). Labial commissure angle and Fonseca questionnaire scores were higher in the traumatic brain injury group (p < .001). The frequency of temporomandibular dysfunction was more common in traumatic brain injury patients with headache than in those without headache, as shown by the results of the Fonseca questionnaire (p = .044).

Compared to healthy controls, patients with traumatic brain injury experienced issues with the temporomandibular joint more frequently. Additionally, TBI patients with headaches had a greater frequency of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Therefore, it is advised to check for temporomandibular joint dysfunction in traumatic brain injury patients during follow-up. In addition, the presence of headache in traumatic brain injury patients may be a stimulant for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Reference:
Karpuz, S, Yılmaz, R, Yılmaz, H. Evaluation of temporomandibular joint dysfunction in traumatic brain injury patients. J Oral Rehabil. 2023; 00: 1- 6. doi:10.1111/joor.13445

Keywords:
Patients, Traumatic, Brain, Injury, prone, Experience, TMJ, Dysfunction, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation