Quando odontologia e fonoaudiologia se encontram: relatos de casos no tratamento da disfunção temporomandibular

Abstract

Objective: To describe the outcomes of speech therapy integrated into dental treatment for temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Method: This is a case report study. The sample consisted of four women aged 18 to 55 years diagnosed with muscular and mixed TMD, following eligibility criteria. Data collection was divided into four stages: screening, evaluation, therapy sessions, and reevaluation. The patients were divided into two groups: patients 1 and 2 were assigned to Group 1 (G1), which received myofunctional orofacial therapy (MOT), while patients 3 and 4 were assigned to Group 2 (G2), which received MOT associated with dental therapy. The studied outcomes were pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), mandibular movement range, and mastication. Results: Patients from both groups were evaluated before and after the interventions in all therapy sessions. It was observed that P1 had an initial visual analog scale (VAS) score of 2.25, reducing to 0.7 after the intervention; P2 had a VAS of 2.7, which decreased to 0.1; P3 presented a VAS of 5, which reduced to 0.5; and P4 had a VAS of 8, which decreased to 2. There was an increase in PPT in both groups, being more significant in the left masseter muscle of G1, with an increase of 0.82 kgf, and in the left temporal muscle of G2, with an increase of 1.00 kgf. Regarding the range of mandibular movements, it was observed that after the intervention, there was a change in movement precision only in patient 2 from G1. The others maintained the precision of mandibular movements, with an increase in MMO, especially in G2. In G1, P1 had an increase of 16 mm and P2, 12.5 mm. In G2, P3 had an increase of 12 mm and P4, 15.5 mm in oral opening. Mastication remained normal in both groups. Conclusion: The results showed a reduction in pain intensity and an increase in pressure pain threshold, with more 4 significant improvements in the group that received the combined therapy. However, no changes were observed in mandibular movement range or masticatory function. The study suggests the need for further longitudinal research for a more in-depth analysis of therapeutic strategies for TMD.