Treatment of craniomandibular disorders in children and young adults

A group of 99 children and young adults referred to a Swedish oral health sciences center were retrospectively evaluated regarding symptoms, signs, diagnoses, treatment, and treatment outcome. The most common symptoms in this patient group were headaches (52%), temporomandibular joint clicking (49%), pain at chewing (47%), and pain at wide mouth opening (46%). Common diagnoses were anterior disc displacement (32%) and craniomandibular disorders of muscular origin (16%). After treatment, 91% of the children and young adults reported themselves to be better or free of symptoms. A treatment modality often used was the occlusal splint, and it was concluded that using conservative methods led to good treatment outcomes in this patient group.