Prevalence of symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders in a Turkish population

Despite numerous studies having been published, the epidemiology of temporomandibular disorders remains uncertain and controversial. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and distribution of symptoms commonly associated with such disorders among a sample of adults in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 1253 individuals aged 18 years were identified by using a random-digit dialing technique. They were asked standard questions about joint and jaw muscle pain, jaw opening, and joint sounds. Additional questions on tooth grinding and clenching, sleep patterns, and treatment-seeking behaviour were posed. Jaw pain was reported by 31% of the population. Women were more likely, than men, to respond positively to the questions concerning jaw pain. No gender- and age-related differences in prevalence of difficulty opening, clicking, tooth grinding/clenching and being poorly rested were found.