Craniomandibular disorders and headaches

Abstract

Incidence and frequency of headache pain Three hundred patients were questioned regarding frequency of headache pain. One hundred forty-one patients were seeking treatment at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry TMJ Clinic for CMD. A comparison group of 159 was selected from persons being screened for routine dental needs. The following findings regarding incidence and frequency of headache pain were observed: 1. The incidence of headache pain was twice as high in the CMD group than in the comparison group ( p < .001). 2. Of the persons in each group reporting the occurrence of headaches, the frequency of headaches in the GMD group was significantly higher (44%) than in the comparison group ( p < .001). Effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy Thirty-three patients with headache pain were treated for a 4-week period with occlusal splint therapy. Patients were questioned regarding the number of headaches per week they had before and after occlusal splint therapy. The following results were observed: 1. Twenty-one (63.6%) patients showed a decrease in the frequency of their headaches. 2. Ten (30.3%) patients showed complete remission of headaches. 3. No patient showed an increase in the frequency of headaches. 4. As a group the average number of headaches per week before treatment was 5.06; after occlusal splint therapy the average number of headaches per week was 2.15 ( p < .001).