Trauma and TMD: The association between orofacial trauma and temporomandibular disorders in a tertiary referral clinic

Between 5-12% of the population suffers from Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TMDs are known for their multifactorial aetiology and one of the proposed associated factors is orofacial trauma. This study investigated the possible association between orofacial trauma and TMD in a tertiary referral clinic. Patients were diagnosed with one or more TMD diagnoses; myalgia, arthralgia, headache associated with TMD and/or a TMD function diagnosis. 659 consenting patients were included. The majority were female. Ages ranged between 18 and 86 years. All patients were included in a logistic regression analysis, and 236 were included in a network analysis. Neither analysis yielded a statistically significant association between orofacial trauma and TMD. Results showed associations between psychosocial variables and TMD diagnoses. These results are contradictory to a recent review, where an association between orofacial trauma and TMD was found. The results on psychosocial variables and TMD diagnoses are corroborated by literature. In conclusion, in this tertiary referral clinic, no association between orofacial trauma and TMD was found.