Treatment received, treatment demand and treatment need for temporomandibular disorders in 35‐year‐old subjects

Abstract

An epidemiology sample of 114 subjects was followed longitudinally from the age of 15–35 years concerning received treatment, treatment demand and treatment need for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Some kind of TMD treatment had been provided to 18% of the subjects during the 20‐year follow‐up period. Eighty‐five per cent of those who had received TMD treatment previously reported that the treatment had a positive effect on their symptoms. The estimated present need of treatment was 11%, but, in line with several other investigations, the active demand for such treatment was much less (3%). From 15 to 25 years of age, a small but gradual increase in clinical signs of dysfunction was found. From the age of 25–35 years, however, a significant reduction of such signs was noted. One explanation to this reduction of clinical signs of TMD might be the stomatognathic treatment performed. It was concluded that 18% had received some TMD treatment during the 20‐year follow‐up period. Only 3% had a demand for such treatment at 35 years of age.This study was supported by the Research Council, County of Halland, Sweden, and the Swedish Dental Society.