Pain Assessment in Temporomandibular Disorders

Pain characteristics, symptoms, medication use, demographic and psychological variables were assessed in 85 patients diagnosed with temporomandibular (TM) disorders. Results showed that 46 myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) patients responded differently from 39 temporomandibular joint (TMJ) patients for numerous measures of pain-related variables. MPD patients perceived more generalized facial pain of longer duration and were able to identify more specific symptoms associated with their pain. The only symptom variable rated higher by TMJ patients was the presence of bothersome joint noise. When asked to rate their pain at its worse, the unpleasantness of pain was significantly higher in MPD patients than reported by TMJ patients. MPD patients might be considered more psychologically distressed than TMJ patients, as shown by their higher ratings for anxiety and inability to endure the pain. Although both types of pain patients took the same categories of medications, MPD patients consumed a larger total number. Such findings suggest that the prognosis of the dysfunction for MPD patients would be less favorable than for TMJ patients.     

TMD Treatment Outcomes: A Statistical Assessment of the Effects of Psychological Variables

This study analyzes the degree to which pretreatment psychosocial factors (psychological dysfunctions and stress)effect outcome in 269 consecutive temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients at the completion of treatment. Employing the TMJ Scale, a validated measure of TMD symptoms, it is found that pretreatment TMD pain and overall symptom levels (excluding internal derangement symptoms) are weakly but nevertheless, significantly related to pretreatment psychological dysfunction and stress. However, the latter appeared totally unrelated to four treatment outcome measures. Additionally, the data supports the hypothesis that both initial and post-treatment intrascapular symptoms (TMJ Scale, Joint Dysfunction sub-scale) are unrelated to psychosocial factors. Data from this study call into question the value of categorizing the TMD patients by means of psychosocial “profiling” and “dual-axis” classification methods proposed by some researchers.     

Psychosocial profiles of diagnostic subgroups of temporomandibular disorder patients

The purpose of the study was to examine whether patients' psychosocial profiles differ depending on if the location of pain is in the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint, or both. Eligible participants were 491 consecutive patients examined according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). Among these a total of 225 adult TMD patients had at least one pain-related TMD diagnosis and were therefore included in this study and completed the multidimensional pain inventory (MPI). Patients diagnosed with myogenous pain only ( n  = 103), patients with joint pain only ( n  = 56), and patients with both ( n  = 66) were compared with respect to depression, somatization, jaw disability, pain intensity and chronicity, and MPI scores and profiles. The MPI profiles were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of variance and Hotelling's T² test. Although patients with joint pain were significantly more impaired in jaw function, no significant differences in depression, in somatization or in the 11 scales of the MPI were observed. The location of pain in TMD patients is not a major factor for the prediction of psychosocial profiles. Therefore, clinical TMD diagnoses alone form an insufficient basis for tailored behavioural or psychological management.     

Impact of prolotherapy in temporomandibular joint disorder: a quality of life assessment

Chronic pain and functional impairment associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMD) considerably reduce oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). In the present study we have assessed the influence of prolotherapy in patients with TMD by the subjective measurement of QoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Twenty-five patients diagnosed with TMD (mean (range) age 38 (18 – 70) years) were included. They had all undergone dextrose prolotherapy to the TMJ at regular time intervals (four times at intervals of two weeks) using the method suggested by Hemwall-Hackett. They were asked to answer the OHIP-14 questionnaire before and two years after prolotherapy. Seven domains of OHRQoL were rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). Domain scores and total OHIP-14 scores were compared using inferential statistics (chi squared and Wilcoxon signed rank tests). Prolotherapy was effective over time, as all the domains’ mean scores decreased considerably after treatment. The total mean score before prolotherapy was 21.20, which was extensively reduced to 13.08 after prolotherapy (p=0.001). There was statistically significant improvement in all domains, including functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap (p≤0.005 in all cases). We concluded that prolotherapy has a promising role in the improvement of OHRQoL of patients with TMD, and its beneficial effects persist at least two years after treatment.     

Clinical TMD, pain-related disability and psychological status of TMD patients

This study investigated the clinical temporomandibular disorders (TMD), pain-related disability and psychological status of TMD patients using a computerized on-line TMD diagnostic system (NUS TMD v1.1). A total of 107 patients (32 male, 75 female) referred to the TMD clinics at the National Dental Centre and National University Hospital participated in this study. The mean age of the predominantly Chinese population (82.2%) was 30.8 years (range from 12 to 64 years). The history questionnaire and clinical examination were input directly into computers by patients and clinicians. A 'Summary of Findings' was then immediately generated by the program based on Axis I and II rules. The data was subsequently exported to SPSS for statistical analysis. About 20.6% of the patients had myofascial pain but only 7.5% experienced limited mandibular opening associated with myofascial pain. The majority of patients (> 80%) did not suffer from disc displacements (right and left joints). The frequency of arthralgia was also low (right joint 8.4%; left joint 7.5%) and only one patient had osteoarthosis of the TMJ. About 78.5% of the patients had low disability with almost equal distribution between low and high intensity pain, 27.1% of the patients were moderately depressed and 11.2% had severe depression. No significant difference in limitations related mandibular functioning scores was observed between normal/depressed patients and between patients with the different graded chronic pain severity classification. The three most frequent jaw disabilities were: eating hard foods (77.6%), yawning (75.7%) and chewing (64.5%). NUS TMD v1.1 is an extremely useful tool in the diagnosis/research of clinical TMD.     

Diagnostic sub-types, psychological distress and psychosocial dysfunction in southern Chinese people with temporomandibular disorders

Summary  The study aimed to assess the distribution of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) sub-types, psychological distress and psychosocial dysfunction in southern Chinese people seeking treatment for TMD using Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) and investigate potential cross-cultural differences in sub-type prevalence and psychosocial impact. Eighty-seven consecutive patients (77 females; 10 males) with a mean age of 39·3 years (s.d. 12·8) newly referred to the specialist TMD clinic at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong over a 20-month period took part in the study. RDC/TMD history questionnaire and clinical assessment data were used to derive Axis I and II findings. Group I muscle disorders were the most common and found in 57·5% of patients. Group II (disc displacement) disorders were found in 42·5% and 47·1% of the right and left temporomandibular joints (TMJ) respectively. Group III disorders (arthralgia/arthrosis/arthritis) were revealed in 19·5% and 23·0% of right and left TMJ's respectively. In the Axis II assessment, 42·5% of patients had moderate/severe depression scores, 59·7% had moderate/severe somatization scores and based on graded chronic pain scores 15·0% had psychosocial dysfunction (grade III and IV). While acknowledging the small sample size, the distribution of RDC/TMD Axis I and II diagnoses was fairly similar in Chinese TMD patients compared with Western and other Asian patient groups. However, in Chinese patients, myofascial pain with limited jaw opening and TMJ disc displacement with reduction were more common and a significant number experienced psychological distress and psychosocial dysfunction. The findings have implications for the management of TMD in Chinese people.     

Analysis of thermal pain sensitivity and psychological profiles in different subgroups of TMD patients

This study evaluated differences in pain sensitivities and psychological profiles among different temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain subtypes. Evaluation was done on 36 normal subjects and 39 TMD patients with high Graded Chronic Pain scale scores. TMD patients were placed in three pain subgroups (myogenous, arthrogenous, mixed) using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) axis I guidelines. RDC/TMD axis II profiles including depression and somatization were analysed. Cold pain threshold (CPT), heat pain threshold (HPT), and heat pain tolerance threshold (HPTT) were measured on three facial regions (anterior temporalis, masseter, TMJ) and a leg region (anterior tibialis). The arthrogenous pain subgroup showed significantly higher CPT and lower HPT and HPTT in the facial region, and lower HPTT in the anterior tibialis region compared with normal and myogenous pain subgroups. The myogenous pain subgroup had significantly higher somatization scores than normal and arthrogenous pain subgroups, and higher depression scores than normal subjects. The results suggest that peripheral and/or central sensitization are present in chronic arthrogenous pain more so than in myogenous pain, and this phenomenon appears to take place regardless of the patient's psychological profiles. These results may explain the underlying mechanism that aggravates TMD pain.     

在校学生颞下颌关节紊乱病与心理因素关系的研究

目的:探讨心理因素对在校生颞下颌关节紊乱病(TMD)的影响.方法:对52例14～ 26岁确诊为颞下颌关节紊乱病(TMD)及53名健康在校生进行颞下颌关节紊乱病专科检查,并填写症状自评量表(SCL-90).患者组分为咀嚼肌功能紊乱(MD)组26例、关节盘移位(TD)组14例、关节盘移位咀嚼肌功能紊乱并存(MD+TD)组12例,按病程分为急性组32例(病史≤6个月),慢性组20例(病史＞6个月).用SPSS 17.0对各分组SCL-90总分及因子分进行比较分析.结果:TMD组SCL-90总分及各因子得分高于健康对照组(P＜0.05).MD组得分与TD组得分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),MD+ TD组的SCL-90总分及除抑郁、恐怖和精神病性外的其他因子得分显著高于前2组(P＜0.05).急性组躯体化得分高于慢性组(P＜0.05),其他项目2组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).TMD患者SCL-90总分与疼痛等级呈正相关关系.结论:心理因素对患TMD的在校生影响显著,可影响TMD相关疼痛的程度,对在校生的TMD进行治疗时应考虑心理的相关治疗.     

Self-efficacy is associated with pain, functioning, and coping in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorder pain

AIMS: To examine the psychometric characteristics of a measure of self-efficacy for managing temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to determine whether scores on this measure were related to pain, disability, and psychological distress in patients with chronic TMD pain. METHODS: Patients seeking treatment for chronic TMD pain (n = 156, 87% female, mean age = 37 years) completed measures assessing pain, disability, mental health, pain-coping strategies, and self-efficacy for managing their pain. RESULTS: The self-efficacy measure, which was adapted from arthritis research, demonstrated good psychometric characteristics (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91, minimal floor and ceiling effects, and validity). Greater self-efficacy was associated with significantly (P < .05) lower levels of pain, disability, and psychological distress. Self-efficacy remained significantly associated with disability and mental health measures even after controlling for demographic variables and pain intensity. In addition, patients with higher self-efficacy reported significantly (P < .05) greater use of an active, adaptive chronic pain-coping strategy (task persistence) and less use of a passive, maladaptive chronic pain-coping strategy (rest). CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy for managing pain appears to be important in the adjustment of patients with chronic TMD pain. Research is needed to determine whether treatments designed to increase self-efficacy improve TMD patient outcomes.     

颞下颌关节紊乱病患者与健康人群颌面部机械疼痛敏感性的比较

目的 利用定量触诊仪对受试者双侧咬肌区及关节区进行触诊,比较和分析疼痛性颞下颌关节紊乱病（TMD）患者与健康人群口颌面部机械疼痛敏感性的差异。 方法 选取患有单侧咬肌区或关节区疼痛的TMD患者各40例作为试验患者组,40例健康人作为对照组。利用定量触诊仪在受试者双侧咬肌区或关节区进行触诊,通过口述疼痛模拟评分法（NRS）获得受试者不同检测位点的机械疼痛感觉,绘制机械疼痛敏感性地图,并计算熵值和重心坐标。利用两因素方差分析法分析性别和检查侧（患者组：健患侧;对照组：左右侧）对各组熵值和重心坐标的影响;利用三因素方差分析法分析性别、检查侧和检测位点对各组NRS评分的影响。 结果 TMD患者咬肌区及关节区健患侧熵值均有统计学差异（咬肌：P＜0.001,关节：P=0.006）,且患侧NRS指数显著高于健侧（咬肌：P＜0.001,关节：P＜0.001）;但对照组咬肌区及关节区双侧熵值及NRS指数无明显统计学差异（P≥0.071）。 结论 机械疼痛敏感性地图技术在提供标准化触诊的基础上可以作为区分疼痛性TMD患者及正常人的有效辅助工具,并为该技术应用于TMD患者治疗效果评估的可行性提供了依据。     

Psychological Factors and Temporomandibular Outcomes

This study examines the effect of psychological dysfunction as an etiological factor in temporomandibular disorder (TMD). It employs a thoroughly validated psychometric measurement system, the TMJ Scale (Pain Resource Center, Inc., Durham, North Carolina), to determine the effects of pretreatment stress and psychological dysfunction upon presenting symptom levels. The study also addresses these parameters for the eventual treatment outcome. During the course of this study, 2,074 patients were evaluated. Seven hundred and fifty-four by Dr. Steed and 1,320 by Dr. Wexler. Both practices address essentially identical patient populations and focus special interest in craniofacial pain and the diagnosis and Phase I treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction. Of the patients in the study who were found to have clinically treatable temporomandibular disorders, 561 consecutive patients completed treatment and were deemed to have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). The TMJ Scale was re-administered to this post-treatment population. This study summarized findings pertinent to the four primary issues: 1. pre-treatment psychological factors and stress, which seem to be moderately related to presenting pain levels and overall TMD levels (excepting joint function); 2. treatment outcomes which appeared to be unrelated to the initial psychosocial symptom severity; 3. physical symptoms outcomes and psychosocial outcomes which appeared to be significantly related and; 4. intracapsular symptom improvement which appeared to be unrelated to psychological functioning changes but mildly related to stress.     

Treatment outcome of supervised exercise,home exercise and bite splint therapy,respectively, in patients with symptomatic disc displacement with reduction: A randomised clinical trial

The best treatment strategy for disturbing temporomandibular clicking sounds is not known. The aim was to evaluate the effect of exercise and bite splint therapy, respectively, in patients with symptomatic disc displacement with reduction. The study was a randomised clinical trial of subjects with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking sounds with a reported severity/intensity of ≥4 on a numerical rating scale (0-10) and signs fulfilling the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) for disc displacement with reduction. Thirty subjects each were randomised to bite splint, home exercise, or supervised exercise programme at the clinic. Two examiners (authors), blinded to the treatment modality, examined the same subject at baseline and at a 3-month follow-up. Non-parametric statistical methods were applied for analyses. A P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. The dropout rate was highest in the home exercise group. About 50% of the participants reported improvement of their TMJ sounds with no significant difference between treatments. In the supervised exercise and the bite splint groups, approximately 2/3 of the patients reported 30% or more improvement of their TMJ sounds and half reported 50% improvement or more. The supervised exercise group also showed reductions in TMD pain, neck disability, mood disturbances and somatisation. Jaw exercise programmes and bite splint treatments had positive effects on TMJ clicking. The supervised exercise programme had an additional effect on the subject's well-being and thus may help to encourage patient's empowerment and coping strategies.     

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain,jaw noises and oral behaviours in an adult Italian population sample

To evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder pain (TMD‐pain), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) noises, oral behaviours in an Italian adult population sample, their possible association with gender, oral behaviours, self‐reported facial trauma and orthodontic treatment. Subjects older than 18 years were recruited from general population in public spaces during their daily life. A specific questionnaire was developed to collect data on TMD‐pain, TMJ noises, oral behaviours, orthodontic treatment and facial trauma. A total of 4299 subjects were included in the study. The most common symptom in the sample was TMJ clicking (30.7%), followed by TMD‐pain (16.3%) and TMJ crepitus (10.3%). Oral behaviours were reported in 29% of the sample; 43.6% of the sample reported a previous or ongoing orthodontic treatment. TMD‐pain and TMJ clicking were significantly associated to gender, oral behaviours and a positive history of previous facial trauma. Crepitus was significantly associated to oral behaviours, facial trauma and higher age. Ongoing orthodontic treatment was significantly associated to TMD‐pain and TMJ sounds. In a general Italian adult population sample, TMD‐pain is associated to female gender and is less prevalent than TMJ clicking. TMDs are associated to trauma and oral behaviours.     

The treatment of temporomandibular disorders with stabilizing splints in general dental practice: one-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated temporomandibular disorder (TMD) outcomes in general dental practice one year after treatment with stabilizing splints (SS) or nonoccluding control splints (CS). METHODS: Seventy-two randomly allocated subjects completed initial treatment. The outcomes measures were a pain visual analog scale (VAS), muscle tenderness, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tenderness, interincisal opening, TMJ clicks and headaches. After initial treatment, 81 percent of the subjects were found to have been treated satisfactorily. The dentists referred the remaining subjects to a dental hospital. At one year, the authors recalled 52 of the original subjects for evaluation. RESULTS: Improvements after initial treatment were maintained at one year for all outcomes, except for TMJ clicking, which returned to pretreatment levels. Eighty-one percent of the subjects rated their treatment as either good or excellent in reducing jaw pain. The authors found that subjects were aware of more of their TMJ clicks than dentists observed at the one-year clinical examination, but most subjects thought their clicking or the associated pain had been reduced. Fifty-five percent subjects had used their splints in the previous six months, but only 31 percent of these had done so daily. There were no significant differences between splint groups. CONCLUSION: At one year, a good response to TMD treatment in general practice had been maintained, but many subjects still had clicking TMJs. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Trained dentists can manage TMD satisfactorily, with only a small proportion of patients needing specialist attention.     

Psychosocial profiles of painful TMD patients

Summary  The aim of the present investigation is to test the null hypothesis that the presence of psychopathology in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is related to the presence of pain, independent of its location [(i.e. myofascial and/or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain]. Ninety-six ( n  = 96) patients affected by painful TMD underwent a clinical assessment in accordance with the research diagnostic criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) guidelines and filled out the Symptoms Check List – Revised (SCL-90-R) instrument to investigate the presence of symptoms of psychopathology. Patients with myofascial pain, alone or combined with TMJ pain, endorsed the highest scores in all SCL-90-R scales and showed the highest percentage of abnormal values in the depression (DEP) and somatization (SOM) scales for the assessment of depressive and somatization symptoms. Nonetheless, anova revealed no significant differences between groups in any of the SCL-90-R scales, except than in the Positive Symptom Total Index ( F  = 3·463; P  = 0·035), and the chi-squared test did not detect any significant differences between groups for the prevalence of abnormal scores in the DEP and SOM scales. The existence of a close association between pain and psychosocial disorders in TMD patients was supported by the present study. The null hypothesis is that no differences exist between patients with different painful TMD cannot be fully accepted for the presence of psychosocial disorders because of the trend evidencing higher SCL-90-R scores for myofascial pain patients, alone or combined with TMJ pain, with respect to TMJ pain alone.     

Outcomes of physical therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a retrospective review

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) encompasses a spectrum of disorders that are associated with pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding musculature. Current research shows that conservative physical therapy is beneficial in the management of the disorder. This study further explores if physical therapy is an effective approach to treating patients with TMJ disorders. Our objectives were to determine the effect of conservative physical therapy interventions on pain, maximal mouth opening, and TMJ disability index for patients with TMD. Medical records from 2013-2018 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients and obtain demographic, baseline, and short-term outcomes of maximal mouth opening (MMO), pain, and temporomandibular disability index (TDI). A total of 100 patients were included. Significant changes were noted in MMO, pain rating, and TDI from initial evaluation to discharge from physical therapy. Sex, age, and weight did not affect the outcomes. There was also no correlation between the number of visits attended and change in MMO. Patients treated conservatively did show improvements in short term outcomes (MMO, pain rating, and TDI). These changes were statistically significant, indicating that conservative therapy may be a beneficial treatment option for patients with TMJ dysfunction. Future studies assessing the long-term outcomes of TMJ patients treated conservatively would determine if this treatment is beneficial in the long-term. In addition, researching the effectiveness of specific interventions for TMJ patients, and if certain TMJ disorders are more responsive to conservative care than others would be valuable in providing information on the effectiveness of conservative treatment in this patient population.     

Long-term efficacy of resilient appliance therapy in TMD pain patients: a randomised, controlled trial

The aim was to investigate long-term efficacy of a resilient appliance in patients with pain due to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A randomised, controlled trial was performed in 80 recruited TMD pain patients. They were randomly allocated to one of two groups: treatment with a resilient appliance or treatment with a hard, palatal, non-occluding appliance. The primary treatment outcome was judged positive when patients' characteristic pain intensity decreased by at least 30%. Additional treatment outcomes were physical functioning, emotional functioning and headache. At the 12-month follow-up 50% of the patients in the treatment group and 42% in the control group had a 30% reduction of characteristic pain intensity, when calculated in an intent-to-treat analysis. Jaw function improved in both groups at the 6- and 12-month follow-up. Emotional functioning improved in both groups at the 6-month follow-up; an improvement concerning grade of depression was found in the control group at 12 months. Headache decreased in both groups at both follow-ups. There were no statistically significant differences found regarding primary and additional outcomes between groups at the 6- and 12-months follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between the resilient appliance and the non-occluding control appliance in reducing TMD pain, physical functioning, emotional functioning and headache in a 12 months perspective.     

A 6- and 12-month follow-up of appliance therapy in TMD patients: a follow-up of a controlled trial

PURPOSE: This study compared the long-term effects of treatment with a stabilization appliance and treatment with a control appliance in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a controlled trial, 60 TMD patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain were evaluated after 10 weeks of treatment with either a stabilization appliance or a control appliance. At the 10-week follow-up, the 60 patients were assigned to one of three groups according to their demand for treatment. Group T, the treatment group, comprised 30 patients treated with a stabilization appliance; group C, the control group, comprised nine patients treated with a control appliance; and group M, the mixed treatment group, comprised 21 patients treated with first a control appliance and then a stabilization appliance. Signs and symptoms were evaluated in all three groups at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: At the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, a significant reduction in TMJ pain as measured on a visual analogue scale was found in all three groups, and a significant decrease in signs and symptoms was found in groups T and M. CONCLUSION: After 6 and 12 months of use, the stabilization appliance was found to still be effective in the alleviation of signs and symptoms in patients with TMD. Many patients in group C changed to a stabilization appliance at the 1 0-week follow-up, which significantly reduced the number of patients in this group. Most patients reported positive change in overall subjective symptoms in this trial. The stabilization appliance can therefore be recommended for patients with TMD.     

Soft versus hard occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)

Aim

To compare between soft and hard occlusal splint therapy for the management of myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD) or internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with reciprocal clicking.

Patients and methods

This study included 50 patients (age range: 24–47 years) who had been diagnosed with MPD or ID of the TMJ in the form of reciprocal clicking. Patients were divided into two groups. They were treated for 4 months with either a vacuum-formed soft occlusal splint constructed from 2-mm-thick elastic rubber sheets (soft splint group) or a hard flat occlusal splint fabricated from transparent acrylic resin (hard splint group). Monthly follow-up visits were performed during the treatment period. Before treatment and 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after treatment, the dentist measured all parameters of TMJ function (pain visual analog scores, tenderness of masticatory muscles, clicking and tenderness of the TMJ, and range of mouth opening).

Results

All parameters of TMJ function showed significant improvement in both groups during the follow-up period, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups at the 4-month follow-up visit.

Conclusions

Both forms of occlusal splints (soft and hard) improved TMJ symptoms in patients with MPD or ID of the TMJ. However, the soft occlusal splints exhibited superior results after 4 months of use.     

Temporomandibular disorders in headache patients

Objective: To identify the frequency of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and its seve-rity in individuals with headache. Study Design: 60 adults divided into three groups of 20 individuals: chronic daily headache (CDH), episodic headache (EH) and a control group without headache (WH). Headache diagnosis was performed according to the criteria of International Headache Society and the signs and symptoms of TMD were achieved by using a clinical exam and an anamnestic questionnaire. The severity of TMD was defined by the temporomandibular index (TMI). Results: The TMD signs and symptoms were always more frequent in individuals with headache, especially report of pain in TMJ area (CDH, n=16; EH, n=12; WH, n=6), pain to palpation on masseter (CDH, n=19; EH, n=16; WH, n=11) which are significantly more frequent in episodic and chronic daily headache. The mean values of temporomandibular and articular index (CDH patients) and muscular index (CDH and EH patients) were statistically higher than in patients of the control group, notably the articular (CDH=0.38; EH=0.25;WH=0.19) and muscular (CDH=0.46; EH=0.51; WH=0.26) indices. Conclusions: These findings allow us to speculate that masticatory and TMJ pain are more common in headache subjects. Besides, it seems that the TMD is more severe in headache patients. Key words:Temporomandibular dysfunction, headache disorders.