Evaluation of the Relationship Between Tmd Pain and Toothache and Dental Anxiety

Abstract

Aims: The aims of the study were to evaluate the relationship between pain experienced and dental anxiety in patients presenting to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery with tootache and TMD pain. Methods: This retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients who applied to the oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic between January and June 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the reason for visiting the clinic. Patients in group 1 had toothache and patients in group 2 had temporomandibular disorder pain. Pain was assessed by VAS and dental anxiety by MDAS. The statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: Of the 108 patients included in the study, 56 were female and 52 were male, and the mean age was 34.71±14.66 years. It was found that the VAS scores were negatively and weakly correlated with age (r=-0.203, p=0.035), there was a positive and weak correlation between the patients’ VAS and MDAS scores (r=0.265, p=0.006), and the VAS scores of the patients with toothache were higher (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that individuals presenting to the clinic with toothache had higher pain levels. It was found that as patients pain levels increased, so did their dental anxiety scores.