Irena Mladenović

Current Perspectives on Temporomandibular Disorders in Pediatric Patients

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) involve a large number of clinical conditions which affect masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and adjacent structures. These conditions typically occur in the adult population, but many recent studies have reported an increasing prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms among children and adolescents. Clinical appearance of TMD in pediatric patients may include pain in masticatory muscles or TMJ, limited or irregular mandibular movements and presence of TMJ noises. Etiology of TMD in young population is multifactorial, including trauma, psychosocial, systemic, genetic and occlusal factors. The diagnosis is made based on the history and examination, optionally imaging when indicated. Therapeutic protocol implies a multidisciplinary approach and favors noninvasive and reversible treatment modalities. The presentation will include the current perspectives and specificities regarding risk of development, procedures for identifying disorders, and treatment options for pediatric patients with TMD.

Prof. dr. Irena Mladenovic, doctor of medical sciences, specialist in prosthetic dentistry, is an associate professor at the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo. She received her master's degree on the topic of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after orthodontic-surgical corrections of skeletal malocclusions, and defended her doctoral thesis in the field of genetic control of temporomandibular and postoperative pain.Her research work is focused on TMD and orofacial pain, and their connection with structural, psychosocial and genetic components. She was a participant or leading researcher in several national scientific research projects and a participant in international projects in the field of higher education reform. Dr. Mladenovic published and presented the results of her research regionally and internationally, participated in editorial board of the Faculty publications, and is also a reviewer in the field of TMD for several international journals. She has been awarded for scientific research by the Faculty of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo and the Chamber of Dentists. Since 2019, she holds the position of the Vice Dean for teaching, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo.