How does the continued use of the mask affect the craniofacial region? A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

The aim was to compare the effects between pre-pandemic mask-free living versus pandemic-related continuous mask use. A retrospective study was carried out. This study was conducted with 542 face mask users. Assessments included presence, frequency and impact of headache, temporomandibular disorders, and quality of life (QoL). Continuous mask use had a large main effect on headache, temporomandibular pain, and QoL (p<.0001; d=1.25), but this effect was nuanced by mask type. Participants who declared suffering from headache increased by 84% with cloth masks, and by 25% with FFP2 masks. Temporomandibular pain increased by 50% and by 39% when wearing surgical masks and FFP2, respectively (p<.06; d=.19). The mask type did not nuance the effect on headache impact (p>.05; d=.06). QoL decreased regardless of mask type (p<.05; d=.21), the decrease being 38% for surgical masks, and 31% for either cloth or FFP2 masks. Continuous mask use, regardless of type, increased existence of headache, headache impact, temporomandibular pain, and reduced QoL.