Craniomandibular disorders in an urban Swedish population

A sample of 637 persons was interviewed and examined clinically for signs and symptoms of CMD. Five percent reported daily headaches, and recurrent headaches were more frequently (P less than 0.001) reported by women (28%) than men (15%). Women more often (P greater than 0.001) had headaches upon awaking and in the afternoon. Face, eyes, throat, and neck were the most common locations of pain (20%). Women (18%) more often (P less than 0.05) reported CM symptoms than men (10%), and 16% of the women and 9% of the men considered themselves to be in need of treatment. About 20% reported oral parafunctions (clenching/grinding/biting). The most frequent clinical finding was TMJ sounds (58%). Both clicking and crepitation were more frequent in women (P less than 0.01). Palpation tenderness in the jaw muscles was most frequently found in the lateral pterygoid (34%) and temporal muscle (27%). Women generally had more tenderness and muscles tender to palpation. Mean maximal opening capacity was significantly larger in men. Only 12% of the sample were found to be free of signs of mandibular dysfunction. As signs and symptoms of CMD were common findings, routine dental examination should always include functional examination of the stomatognathic system to evaluate the need of treatment.