AIMS

To study the age- and gender-related prevalence of signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Finnish adult population.

METHODS

A clinical health examination was performed as a part of a Health 2000 Health Examination Survey in 2000 and 2001. A nationally representative sample included 8,028 Finns at least 30 years of age, of whom 79% participated also in an oral health investigation, including examination of the stomatognathic system in order to assess the presence of certain TMD signs: maximum interincisal distance < 40 mm, pain in temporomandibular joints or masticatory muscles, and sounds in temporomandibular joints (crepitation, clicking).

RESULTS

Thirty-eight percent of the subjects had at least 1 sign of TMD. All the signs studied were more common in women than men. Overall, signs of TMD were also associated with age; the older the subject, the higher the prevalence of the TMD signs. However, when stratified by gender, the association with age was not as clear, and gender differences were observed in the prevalence of the single TMD signs at different ages.

CONCLUSION

Signs of TMD may be more common among the elderly than is usually reported.