Facial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders: An Epidemiological Study of the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort

ABSTRACT

Recent clinical studies have shown an association between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and facial pain. The aim of this epidemiological study was to investigate the prevalence of facial pain and TMD, their relation to each other, and also their relation to previous traumas, occlusal factors and pain in other areas of the body. The study is a part of the Well-Being and Health Research of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 using questionnaires where data on facial pain, TMD symptoms, occlusal divergencies, traumas in the face and other pain areas of the body were registered. Data were obtained from 5696 subjects born in the year 1966 in northern Finland. Twelve percent of the men and 18% of the women had suffered from facial pain during the last year. The most often reported symptom of TMD was clicking of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) (21% in men, 28% in women), while prevalence of more severe symptoms was 13% or under. Facial pain was related to symptoms of TMD, as well as to traumas in the face or TMJs, distal occlusion and other pain areas (neck, shoulders, arms, lower back, jaws, tooth). The results suggest that facial pain is a usual symptom in adult population, and has an association with TMD, as well as with other musculoskeletal pain symptoms. Traumas to face and TMJs, certain occlusal factors and dental pathology may have a remarkable role in the etiology.

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Notes on contributors

Kirsi Rauhala

Dr. Kirsi Rauhala received her D.D.S. degree from the Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland, in 1986. Since 1988, she has taught at the same university. Currently, she works as a senior lecturer at the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Stomatognathic Physiology, Institute of Dentistry, Oulu, Finland

Kyösti S. Oikarinen

Dr. Kyösti S. Oikarinen received his D.D.S. degree from the Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland, in 1978. Since 1978, he has been a teacher at the Institute id Dentistry, University of Oulu. Dr. Oikarinen received his Odont. Dr. degree from the same university in 1987 and his D.M.D. degree at Hamburg University in Germany in 1988. Currently, he is an acting professor of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.

Marjo-Riitta Järvelin

Dr. Marjo-Riitta Järvelin received her M.D. degree at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland, in 1980. She received a Speciality in Pediatrics in 1987 and a Ph.D. in 1989 at the same university. In 1994, she received a Master of Science degree in Environmental Epidemiology and Policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, United Kingdom. Dr. Järvelin has been a Docent in Public Health since 1995 at the University of Oulu and a professor in Public Health at the same university since 1999.

Aune M. Raustia

Dr. Aune M. Raustia received a D.D.S. degree from the Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland, in 1974. She has taught at the Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu since 1979. Dr. Raustia received her Odont. Dr. degree from the same university in 1986. Currently, she is a professor and head of the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Stomatognathic Physiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.