prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders in 9–12–year–old boy students in kerman, southeast of iran

despite numerous studies on the prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders (tmjds) in adults, those performed in children are limited. this study determined the prevalence of tmjds in 9-12-year-old kermanian boy students living in southeast of iran. 240 boy students selected by randomized method and studied through a descriptive cross-sectional epidemiologic survey including interviews and physical examinations. overall, 11.7% of the boys had tmjds, 1.7% limitation in mouth opening and 5.4% deviation on jaw opening. attention to temporomandibular joint disorders in children is necessary by preschool examination in order to prevent their progress in later stages of life. iran j med sci 2005; 30(2): 91-93.   keywords ● temporomandibular disorder ● children ● epidemiology