A recent study in Brazil aimed to investigate the association of features of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain. Although its cause is unknown, fibromyalgia is believed to have psychological, genetic, and neurobiological factors. Some symptoms include fatigue, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbance. Joint noise and clenching at night, both signs of TMD, were not found to be associated with fibromyalgia in this study. However, muscle pain and limited mouth opening are features of the patients in this study and specific muscle involvement of TMD is also present in fibromyalgia. Dr. Stan Farrell, who is a Diplomate with the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a licensed General Dentist in the state of Arizona, is passionate about alleviating the pain caused by TMD. Dr. Farrell focuses on non-surgical treatment methods that include splint therapy, trigger point injections and physical therapy modalities. If you experience face pain or pain associated with TMD symptoms or headaches, schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Farrell at 480-945-3629. www.headpaininstitute.com
Pimentel MJ, Gui MS, Martins de Aquino LM, Rizzatti-Barbosa CM.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of clinical features of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with fibromyalgia. The test group (FMG) consisted of 40 women with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to the control group of 40 healthy subjects using the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). The variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test and a Mann-Whitney test. Facial pain was reported by 85% of the FM group, and 77.5% were diagnosed with myofascial TMD. Muscle pain during jaw movements, daytime bruxism/clenching, and limited mouth opening were significantly higher in the test group. There was no difference between groups in: (1) joint noises; (2) sleep bruxism/clenching; and (3) excursive or non-excursive movements. Classic signs of TMD, such as joint noise and self-reporting of clenching at night, are not associated with fibromyalgia syndrome as demonstrated in the current study. However, the self-reported daytime parafunctions, muscle pain in jaw movements, and limited mouth opening are features of the patients in the current study. This study revealed specific muscle involvement of TMD is also presence in FM.
