Occurrence and severity of neck disability in individuals with different types of temporomandibular disorder.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals need to know the degree of disability and severity of their patients to determine actions and therapy needed to minimize potential harm, improve their patient condition, and maximize clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the occurrence and severity of neck disability in individuals with muscular, joint, and mixed temporomandibular disorder (TMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with individuals divided into four groups: muscular TMD (n=20), joint TMD (n=20), mixed TMD (n=20) and control (n=20). For diagnosis and classification of TMD, it was used the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) and to assess the severity of neck dysfunction the Neck Disability Index (NDI). RESULTS: Moderate neck disability was frequent in all individuals with TMD; high scores of neck disability index were evidenced in the mixed and joint TMD groups; there was a moderate positive correlation between the severity of neck disability and TMD severity (r=0.7; CI=0.32-0.78; p<0.03). CONCLUSION: The gravity of neck disability and the severity of TMD are directly proportional in the group of individuals with mixed TMD.