Daline I H, Slade G D, Fouad A F, Nixdorf D R, Tchivileva I E. Prevalence of painful temporomandibular disorders in endodontic patients with tooth pain. J Oral Rehabil 2023; DOI: 10.1111/joor.13457.

A majority of patients with tooth pain seeking endodontic treatment had painful TMDs; one-quarter had TMD as a component or sole cause of their pain.

This cross-sectional study investigated prevalence of painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients presenting for endodontic treatment of a painful tooth. Patients reporting tooth pain in the 30 days before attending for non-surgical root canal treatment or retreatment were enrolled. Before endodontic treatment, they completed questionnaires and an orofacial pain specialist/endodontic resident diagnosed TMD using published Diagnostic Criteria. Among 100 patients enrolled, prevalence of painful TMDs was 54%. In 26% of patients, TMD pain was unrelated to endodontic pain; in 20%, TMD contributed to their chief pain complaint; and in 8%, TMD was a sole aetiology for pain. TMD prevalence was associated with more severe symptoms and signs of tooth pain and with psychological factors.