Introduction. Temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscle pain occuring as a symptom of temporomandibular joint dysfunction is the main cause of craniofacial pain that is not dental in origin. Dysfunction pain symptoms are also frequently located outside the masticatory organ: in the frontal, parietal and temporal regions of the head and around the eyes, ears or cervical segment of the spine. Aim. The aim of study was to evaluate the frequency of face and neck pain in patients subjected to prosthetic treatment based on a retrospective analysis of medical records research into patents with TMJ disorders. Material and methods. The study comprised an analysis of the medical records of 1,258 patients who had reported for prosthetic treatment at the Clinic of Functional Disorders (Department of Prosthodontics, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow) between 2009 and 14th March 2014. The frequency of face and neck pain was analyzed as well as its character: idiopathic pain and pain provoked by palpation or mandibular movements were evaluated in all patients during clinical examination or patient interview. Results. Myofascial pain was the most frequent symptom and occurred in 563 (44.7%) of the 1,258 patients. Temporomandibular joint pain was reported in 335 (26.6%) patients. Temporomandibular joint pain along with muscle pain of the masticatory organ was reported in 156 (12.4%) patients. Temporomandibular joint disorders connected with the occurrence of pain symptoms in the organs of sight (27, or 2.3%), hearing (141, or 11.8%), or the cervical section of the spine (36, or 2.9%) were observed in a relatively small group of patients, compared to group with muscle pain. The results of medical records indicate frequent occurrence of pain within the area of the face in patients undergoing prosthetic treatment due to temporomandibular joint disorders. Conclusions. A detailed history, careful clinical examination, the ability to locate trigger points and pain, differencial diagnosis and interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to diagnose and provide proper teratment. Due to the increase in the number of patients with TMJ disorders futher reseach is needed in this area.

Key words: functional disorders, masticatory organ, masculofascial pain, pain form of disorder, pain radiation.