Perception of the relationship between TMD and orthodontic treatment among orthodontists.
BACKGROUND
The consensus about the relationship between TMD and orthodontic treatment has gone from a cause and effect association between TMD and orthodontic treatment to the idea that there is no reliable evidence supporting this statement.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the beliefs, despite scientific evidence, of Brazilian orthodontists about the relationship between TMD and orthodontic treatment with regards to treatment, prevention and etiology of TMD.


METHODS
A survey about the relationship between TMD and orthodontic treatment was prepared and sent to Brazilian orthodontists by e-mail and social networks. Answers were treated by means of descriptive statistics and strong associations between variables were assessed by qui-square test.


RESULTS
The majority of orthodontists believe that orthodontic treatment not only is not the best treatment option for TMD, but also is not able to prevent TMD. Nevertheless, the majority of orthodontists believe that orthodontic treatment can cause TMD symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that orthodontists' beliefs about the relationship between orthodontic treatment and TMD are in accordance with scientific evidence only when referring to treatment and prevention of TMD. The majority of orthodontists believe that, despite scientific evidence, orthodontic treatment can cause TMD.
Catholic University of Brasília.
Thaís Gonzalez da Silveira
TG
Coêlho
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Hugo Cesar Pinto Marques
HC
Caracas
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D000066792:Orthodontists / Q000523:psychology*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors