Comparative Study of the Temperature of the Masseter and Temporal Muscles of Patients with and Without Temporomandibular Dysfunctions Through Thermography

Abstract

Temporomandibular dysfunctions (TMD) consist of a collection of clinical signs and symptoms involving the temporomandibular joint and the muscles of chewing, with pain being the most constant symptom. Infrared thermography is a noninvasive, painless, and non-radioactive analytical instrument capable of examining physiological functions under body temperature control. Objective: To compare the temperature of the masseter and temporal muscles of people with and without temporomandibular dysfunctions. Methodology: This is an experimental cross-sectional field research, in which 25 individuals were selected, with ages ranging between 18 and 40 years and applied the anamnetic self-application questionnaire of Silveira et al. where the presence and severity of TMD was determined and then the temperature of the masseter and temporal muscle was analyzed through thermography. Results and Discussion: They indicate that there is a statistical difference of temperature between individuals without TMD in relation to individuals with severe TMD. There was no significant statistical difference between individuals with mild and moderate TMD compared to those without TMD. Conclusion: Therefore, even though there are not many studies regarding the use of infrared thermography in temporomandibular dysfunctions, the results of this study were positive regarding the use of thermography to detect the increase of temperature of the masseter and temporal muscles in individuals with severe TMD when compared to healthy individuals.