Facts and Statistics

An estimated 75% of the US population has experienced one or more signs or symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
Most people with TMD have symptoms that come and go over time and can be self-managed at home. However, about 5% of people with TMD have more severe symptoms and will need professional treatment.
Temporomandibular joint disorder is also known as craniomandibular dysfunction, myofascial pain dysfunction, TMJ dysfunction syndrome and facial arthromyalgia.
People with TMD usually have more than one sign or symptom.
TMD rarely has a single cause. Most medical experts believe that TMD results when several factors act together.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), 5-12% of the population suffers from TMJ problems at one time or another. People with TMD spend an average of four billion dollars per year on TMD treatment.
About 15% of people with temporomandibular joint disorder with develop chronic TMD.
About half to two-thirds of people with TMD will go to a health care provider for treatment.
Women are twice as likely have TMD than men.
Women using oral contraceptives or estrogen supplements are more likely to go to a health care provider for treatment of TMD.