Study explores sex differences in temporomandibular disorder

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 13. March 2025

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UMEÅ, Sweden: Orofacial pain, including pain associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), is a common chronic condition, affecting 10%–15% of the global population, and has significant personal and societal consequences. Early diagnosis and evidence-based treatment are crucial to improving long-term outcomes. A recent study examined differences in two common TMD symptoms—pain and jaw catching or locking—among adults, assessing the influence of age and sex. The findings showed that women develop TMD more frequently than men do and have lower recovery rates, particularly for TMD-related pain, underscoring the need for tailored treatment approaches.

According to the study’s authors, TMD is more common during adolescence, is most frequent in working-aged adults and is less common in older adults. Women are affected more often than men at all ages. While both sexes experience TMD pain at similar rates, women tend to report more intense pain, exhibit more symptoms and seek treatment more frequently, as well as experience pain for longer durations, which the authors suggest may explain the higher recorded prevalence. Additionally, research by the same authors suggests that orofacial pain is becoming more common in women, though the reasons for this trend remain unclear.

The authors pointed out that psychosocial factors, such as negative expectations about pain, can influence the onset and progression of TMD. However, there is limited research on how TMD pain and jaw dysfunction evolve, particularly regarding differences between men and women. This lack of long-term studies in the general population has created a gap in understanding of how TMD symptoms fluctuate over time and whether these variations are influenced by factors such as sex and age.

Since general dentists frequently encounter patients suffering from TMD, they are key in managing the condition, but report feeling uncertain about the best treatment approaches. This underscores the need for improved education and resources to support dentists in delivering effective TMD care. Bridging this knowledge gap is crucial to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.

TMD symptom progression

The researchers collected data between 2010 and 2017 from the general population in the northern Swedish province of Västerbotten, including adults who had undergone at least two routine dental check-ups with screenings for TMD symptoms. They classified participants based on the absence of TMD symptoms and the presence of TMD pain only, jaw catching or locking only, and TMD pain and jaw catching or locking, and they monitored patients’ transitions between these states from year to year.

The study included 94,769 individuals, 49.9% of whom were women. According to the findings, the two most common state transitions were from no TMD to TMD pain only and from TMD pain only to no TMD. This pattern suggests that, while TMD pain commonly emerges in individuals who previously had no symptoms, it also has a notable tendency to resolve over time. Compared with men, women had higher rates of transitions from no TMD to any of the symptomatic states, as well as worsening symptoms.

While TMD pain commonly emerged and resolved over time in some individuals, the study found that the chances of fully recovering from TMD pain or jaw catching or locking were between 10% and 20% for men and women. This underscores the chronic nature of TMD, particularly among women, who tend to recover less frequently from TMD pain.

As they aged, both men and women were more likely to develop TMD symptoms, but women over 30 had a higher risk of developing TMD pain or jaw catching or locking compared with men in the same age group. Both men and women over 50 with TMD pain only were more likely to recover, and those aged 60–72 had a higher chance of recovering from jaw catching or locking only.

Addressing gender disparities in TMD care

The findings highlight the importance of incorporating sex and gender differences into TMD treatment planning for more effective care. According to the researchers, gender influences TMD in both pain perception and clinical management, and women generally report higher pain intensities and experience delays in treatment owing to gender biases. These disparities, influenced by societal norms rather than biological factors, contribute to poorer prognoses in women, highlighting the need for more equitable and timely care.

Given the limited data, further research is essential to identify biopsychosocial factors that influence symptom variations to improve clinical decision-making and reduce the overall burden of TMD.

The study, titled “Women are worse off in developing and recovering from temporomandibular disorder symptoms”, was published online on 8 February 2025 in Scientific Reports.