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Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) affect psychological, functional, and pain-related aspects of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). However, the differential impact of pain-related and non-pain-related TMDs remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different TMD subtypes on psychological distress, jaw function, and OHRQoL in young adults and to determine whether pain-related TMDs exert a greater effect than non-pain-related TMDs.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 278 university students (aged 18–24 years) were categorized into no TMD (NT), pain-related TMD (PT), intra-articular TMD (IT), and combined TMD (CT). Diagnoses were made using the 5Ts Questionnaire screening tool and DC/TMD clinical examination. Psychological distress, jaw functional limitations, and OHRQoL were measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-4, Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8, and OHIP-TMD, respectively. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: Significant differences were found among the TMD subtypes (p <0.001). PT and CT groups exhibited higher psychological distress and jaw functional limitations, along with poorer OHRQoL, compared to IT and NT groups.

Conclusion: Pain-related TMDs have a greater impact on psychological distress, jaw function, and OHRQoL than non-pain-related TMDs, highlighting the importance of pain in amplifying the overall impact of TMD on both psychosocial and functional aspects.

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