Morphological changes in the temporomandibular joints in women with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain: A case series

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study investigated the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphological changes in women with fibromyalgia (FM) through clinical and tomographic evaluation.

Methods: Ten women diagnosed with myofascial pain who were being treated for FM in a university hospital were included in this study. The data were collected through clinical examination and cone beam computed tomography evaluation of the TMJ in closed and open mouth positions.

Results: All patients had crackling in the joint, a habit of grinding teeth during sleep, muscle stiffness, and tinnitus. The tomographic findings revealed a higher frequency of condylar bone wear, reduction of joint space, and posterior positioning of the mandibular condyle. The temporomandibular disorders with the highest prevalence were osteoarthritis and disc displacement with reduction.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that women with FM have a high frequency of TMD related to the displacement of the articular disc, condyle position, and occurrence of osteoarthritis.

KEYWORDS:

• TMJ
• temporomandibular disorders
• fibromyalgia
• myofascial pain

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.