Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders and Assessment of its Severity in Patients Attending Dental Out-patient Department – An Observational Cross-sectional Study

Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) continues to function as usual until it is disturbed by external influences that affect the function of the joint, such as mechanical, psychological, occupational, and para-functional habits. Many adults are afflicted by pain and dysfunction in the temporomandibular system and its muscles, joints, and associated structures. Collectively, these conditions are referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Objectives: To determine the prevalence of TMD and assessment of its severity in patients attending the dental-outpatient department. Methods: An Observational Cross-sectional study was carried out on patients from April 2021 to June 2022. Selected patients were examined according to diagnostic criteria TMD (DC/TMD) criteria. Those patients with TMD were further graded in severity using Fonseca’s-questionnaire. Findings were noted in specialized case-history proforma. Results: Out of 8,076 patients, 7705 (95.4%) were not suffering from TMD, while 371 (4.6%) were suffering from TMD. The most common TMD finding according to DC/TMD criteria was disc-displacement with reduction in 259 (69.8%) patients, followed by other findings with least common was subluxation in 3 (0.8%) patients. According to Fonseca’s-questionnaire, patients having mild TMD were significantly higher (35.9%), moderate (12.7%), and severe TMD (5.1%). Conclusion: Prevalence of TMD (4.6%) in our study is at a level enough to make awareness in general practitioners and patients.