title: Temporomandibular Disorders and Related Factors in a Group of Iranian Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most common condition affecting the tem-poromandibular joint and associated structures. The aim of this study was the epidemiologic evaluation of TMDs and re-lated factors in a group of Iranian adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive cross-sectional survey included a sample of800 high school students (400 girls and 400 boys) aged 14 to18 years, in Mashhad, Iran, selected using cluster sampling. Examiners completed question-naires and performed the clinical examinations. Data were analyzed with the Chi-square and Fisher exact tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of TMDs in the studied sample was 34.7%. The most common signs of TMDs were clicking, muscle tenderness and TMJ tenderness. The most prevalent predisposing factors of TMDs were clenching, premature con-tact in protrusive movement and bruxism. A clear predominance was seen in girls (40.5%) compared with boys (29%) (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Signs and symptoms of TMDs were prevalent in Iranian adolescents with a clear female predominance.
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran  ; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dashti
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehrabkhani
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arghavani
authors.forename: Avideh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daneshvar-Mozafari