Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders
Chronic TMD pain affects 6-9% of the general population, making it the second most common musculoskeletal chronic pain disorder after low back pain. 1
Overall Population Burden
- TMD affects up to 15% of adults when considering all forms of the disorder, not just chronic pain presentations 2, 3
- The condition has a peak incidence between ages 20-40 years, with the highest prevalence occurring between ages 40-60 years 1, 3
- Up to 33% of individuals may experience TMD symptoms at some point during their lifetime, though many cases are self-limiting 4
Key Epidemiological Distinctions
The variation in prevalence estimates (ranging from 6-33%) reflects important clinical distinctions:
- Chronic TMD pain specifically: 6-9% of the general adult population 1
- Any TMD symptoms: up to 15% of adults at any given time 2, 3
- Lifetime prevalence: up to 33% when including transient or self-resolving cases 4
Gender and Age Patterns
- Women are disproportionately affected, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 1.89:1 in the United States 1
- Up to 30% of acute TMD cases progress to chronic (≥3 months duration) 1
- The condition is almost exclusively seen in adults, with less than 3% of cases occurring in patients under 18 years of age 5
Clinical Significance
- Approximately 50% of TMD patients do not require intervention, as symptoms are self-limiting within one year of onset 6
- However, 75-80% of adults with TMD eventually require medical intervention, with complete symptom remission taking up to three years 6
- Psychological comorbidities are common in chronic TMD patients, contributing to disability and reduced quality of life 1, 2