Temporomandibular joint disorders - Part I

Abstract

The terminology "temporomandibular disorder" (TMD) covers a group of conditions. A lot of attempts have been made to categorize TMD, but all have shortfalls. Some classify by frequency of presentation, some by etiology, and some by anatomy. However, there is substantial overlap in classification system as they are not clinically suitable. Therefore, not even one system persuades all the criteria. TMD is a wide-ranging collection of clinical problems that involve the muscle of mastication, the temporomandibular joint, surrounding bone and soft tissue components, or at times combinations of all of them. Any factor that affects one part of the system is likely to have impact on the other parts also, so it is essential to avoid blind side when we have to consider likely signs and symptoms of a TMD. About 20-30% of the adult populations are affected to some degree; it is predominately a condition of young and middle-aged adults, rather than of children or the elderly, and is approximately twice as common in women as in men. TMD is the second most common non-dental origin orofacial pain, but at the same time, the recurrence of other symptoms such as earache, headache, neuralgia, and tooth pain, which can be related to the TMD or be present as secondary findings to be assessed in the differential diagnosis process.