Assessment of self-rated pain perception and whole salivary cortisol levels among adolescents with and without temporomandibular disorders

Objective: To assess the self-perceived pain perception (PP) and whole salivary cortisol levels (CL) among adolescents with and without temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods: Adolescents between 15 and 17 years were included. Participants were categorized into three groups: Group 1: patients with TMD; Group 2: nocturnalbruxers without TMD; and Group 3: controls. Demographic data CL and self-rated PP were assessed. A p-value < 0.05 was proposed as statistically significant. Results: Fifty-four patients (18 per group) were included. Scores of self-rated PP in the affected TMJ were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p < 0.001). Whole salivary CL were higher in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.01) than in Group 3. Whole salivary CL were higher in Group 2 than Group 3 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Whole salivary CL are higher in adolescents with TMD, and there is a direct relationship between self-rated PP in the TMJ area and salivary CL.