The first epidemiologic study in the world of temporomandibular disorders in grown ups was presented from the department more than 20 years ago. Fifteen years ago one of the first epidemiological study of TMD in children and adolescents was presented. Several etiological factors were suggested. The disorders were found to be less severe, and less frequent than in grown up populations. Orofacial pain of chronic character with special interest on muscular and joint diseases has been studied and found to be the most common ones.
Prospective studies are ongoing.
Treatment modalities for TMD of mainly muscular origin have been evaluated in a randomised trial with evaluation both in a short and a long term. Both clinical and behavioural aspects have been studied. Inflammatory TMD from different aspects have been investigated to reach a better understanding about prevalence of symptoms. Various pharmacological treatments and treatments with occlusal appliances in patients with TMD of arthrogeneous origin have been tested in randomised trials where behavioural aspects also have been included. The importance of radiography for better diagnoses of TMD as well as treatment outcome for the patients have been evaluated.