Levantamento das atitudes e crenças dos ortodontistas com relação à disfunção têmporo-mandibular e dor orofacial

Abstract

A inter-relação entre a Ortodontia e as Disfunções Têmporo-Mandibulares (DTM/DOF) sempre foi um tema de estudo presente na literatura ortodôntica. O papel do tratamento ortodôntico na prevenção, cura e desenvolvimento das DTM/DOF ainda permanece como um tema controverso. Os cursos de pós-graduação em Ortodontia, contudo, não tem uma norma definida sobre a carga horária mínima sobre o assunto, podendo haver uma grande variação na formação dos ortodontistas neste campo de conhecimentos. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar as atitudes e crenças dos ortodontistas com relação às DTM/DOF e analisar se, na opinião dos entrevistados, há demanda para especialistas em Disfunção Têmporo-Mandibular e Dor Orofacial, através do uso de questionário enviado via correio eletrônico aos participantes. São discutidos os resultados apresentados à luz dos artigos mais recentes e embasados sobre o tema e também o uso da Odontologia baseada em evidência (OBE) como forma dos profissionais adquirirem auto-suficiência na avaliação crítica da literatura disponível

The knowledge level of dental surgeons regarding the relationship between occlusal factors and Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

“…This situation corroborates the work of Glaros et al 16 and Tegelberg et al 17 and may be a reflection of the lack of continuing education on the part of the professionals, especially with regard to an area (TMD and OFP) that remains little explored in undergraduate and postgraduate dentistry courses in Brazil 10,15 . TMD evaluation and diagnosis are often considered a challenge for the general practitioner and even specialists in other areas 15 , given that the disorder encompasses a wide variety of signs and symptoms that can affect many stomatognathic system structures 1,2 . This difficulty is reflected in the low number of non-specialist professionals in the field who treat these patients, given that most do not feel prepared to do so and prefer to refer them to other professionals 15,16 .…”

“…TMD evaluation and diagnosis are often considered a challenge for the general practitioner and even specialists in other areas 15 , given that the disorder encompasses a wide variety of signs and symptoms that can affect many stomatognathic system structures 1,2 . This difficulty is reflected in the low number of non-specialist professionals in the field who treat these patients, given that most do not feel prepared to do so and prefer to refer them to other professionals 15,16 . In addition, there is a shortage of studies in the literature that seek to evaluate these professionals' knowledge on this subject.…”

“…The relationship between orthodontic treatment and TMD, whether as prevention, treatment, or cause, has been widely discussed over the years, and today, malocclusion correction is not considered to be a method of treating this disorder 6,10,12,13,15 . However, many CG group participants still believed in the strong role of orthodontics and occlusal adjustment, which may be related to their belief that occlusal factors are primarily responsible for the disorder.…”

“…Furthermore, many professionals do not feel secure with regard to their diagnosis and treatment decision or with the evaluation of treatment results 15 . Differences have also been described in relation to the TMD knowledge of specialist professionals and that of non-specialists regarding the role of occlusion as a trigger for the disorder 16,17 .…”

“…The practice of evidence-based dentistry is imperative both in the treatment of TMD and in the area of occlusal treatment 13,15 . Given the etiological complexity of TMD and the controversies related to occlusal factors, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge of dental surgeons (DSs) with regard to the relationship between occlusal factors and TMD and to relate and compare the responses of TMD and orofacial pain (OFP) specialists with those of non-specialists in this area.…”