Masticatory Function in Individuals with Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A systematic review and pilot study

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review summarizes the scientific evidence and assesses the methodological quality of the original studies that analyzed masticatory function in adult subjects with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). Methods: The literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol in PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS, EBSCO, Scielo, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. The methodological quality of each article was independently assessed by two researchers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Study Quality Assessment Scale. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the eligible articles that met these exact predefined requirements were independently read and assessed for their methodological quality by two researchers. Results: 22 articles were included in the qualitative analysis. The compound method for chewing allowed to identify those individuals with TMD present an increase in the number of mastication cycles, and duration, with a greater masticatory efficiency and a worse myofunctional performance. With electromyography (EMG), some studies have shown that TMD involves changes in the electrical intensity of the masticatory muscles and modification of the ability to coordinate muscle activation. Ten of the twenty-two articles included in this review showed high methodological quality and low risk of bias, and twelve have low methodological quality and increased risk of bias. Conclusion: The parameters analyzed with the compound technique for chewing showed altered mandibular functions in individuals with TMD. With the EMG method, it was possible to suggest that TMD in adult individuals causes compensatory muscle behaviors and Several differences in changes in the masticatory function were found.