Temporomandibular disorders in Venezuelan and Italian adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this research was to compare the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among Venezuelan and Italian adolescents. Methods: One hundred-seventeen Venezuelan and 138 Italian adolescents aged 11–18 years were examined according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs (DC/TMD). Signs and symptoms were registered. Results: TMD prevalence among Venezuelan adolescents (17.9%) was lower than that among Italian adolescents (29.7%) and was higher in females and in the 15–18 age group. Intra-articular disorders were the most frequent in Venezuelan (8.5%) and Italian adolescents (13.0%). Pain- associated disorders were more frequent in the 11–14 age group, while intra-articular disorders were more frequent in the 15–18 age group in both samples. Italian adolescents presented greater muscle pain and joint noise than Venezuelan adolescents. Conclusion: TMD prevalence in Venezuelan adolescents was lower than that in Italian adolescents. This suggests the involvement of cultural and/or genetic factors in the etiology of these disorders.