Occurrence of temporomandibular disorders among people seeking endodontic therapy

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Created On: 19/07/2023

The occurrence of painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among people seeking endodontic therapy for painful teeth was examined in a cross-sectional study. Additionally evaluated were the parameters linked to the occurrence of TMD and the contribution of TMD pain to the primary complaint.

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Key take away

In endodontic patients diagnosed with tooth pain, the prevalence of painful temporomandibular disorders was 54%.

Background

Method

Patients who visited university clinics for nonsurgical root canal therapy or re-treatment within 30 days after experiencing tooth discomfort were recruited. They finished questionnaires prior to endodontic treatment, and a board-authorized orofacial pain specialist/endodontic resident assessed TMD utilizing established Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. To quantify relationships with patient traits, log-binomial regression models calculated prevalence ratios.

Result

The prevalence of painful TMDs was 54% among the 100 individuals recruited. TMD contributed to their primary pain complaint in 20% of patients, was unrelated to endodontic pain in 26% of patients, and was the sole cause of pain in 8% of patients. Psychological distress, usage of painkillers, tenderness to tooth palpation and percussion, identification of symptomatic apical periodontitis, pain in > 1 tooth, and greater intensity, frequency, and duration of the primary complaint of pain were all linked with TMD occurrence.

Conclusion

The majority of endodontic individuals suffering from tooth pain had painful TMDs; one-quarter of them had TMD as a component or only source of their pain. The occurrence of TMD was linked to psychological factors as well as more severe tooth pain signs and symptoms. The significant prevalence of TMD comorbidity justifies taking into account while treating endodontic patients with a history of toothaches.