title: Symptoms of craniomandibular disorders in elderly Brazilian wearers of complete dentures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Investigate the incidence of symptoms of craniomandibular disorder in elderly Brazilian wearers of full dentures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire based on Helkimo's anamnestic index was applied to a group of 65-year-olds or older individuals who wear a set of full dentures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were carried out at the dental clinics of the University of Taubaté and the University of Vale do Paraíba, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a total of 384 patients, 84 elderly wearers of full dentures were interviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaire identified the most commonly related symptoms of craniomandibular disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient's average age was 73.5 years (ranging from 65 to 89 years), 81% of them females. Only 5% reported pain when opening their mouths, and the same percentage complained of temporomandibular joint luxation and a sensation of tired muscles during mastication. Similar rates were found for pain in the temporomandibular joint area (6%), pain in the temporal muscle area (7%), difficulty to move the mandible in the morning (4%) and pain during excursive (protrusive and lateral) movements (8%). The highest rates were found for pain in the masseter muscle area (39%) and articular noises (24%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of craniomandibular disorder symptoms was low in this group of elderly wearers of full dentures, except for pain in the masseter (39%) and articular noises (24%).
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jarbas F F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marchini
authors.forename: Marcia S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Damião
authors.forename: Vicente P P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Célia M R
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Barbosa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D017271:Craniomandibular Disorders / Q000145:classification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003824:Denture, Complete; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013016:Sound; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000145:classification