Definitions and Terminology, Prevalence and Demographics
- TMD is an umbrella term covering pain and dysfunction of the muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joints.
- TMD is not life-threatening but can be detrimental to quality of life.
- The term TMD is taken to mean any disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint.
- There is no single, globally accepted term or definition for TMD.
- TMD often co-occurs with other medical conditions such as headaches, fibromyalgia, back pain, and irritable bowel.
- About 20% to 30% of the adult population are affected by TMD to some degree.
- TMD is more common in females than males.
- TMD is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain.
- TMD is considered one of the 4 major symptom complexes in chronic orofacial pain.
- TMD is considered a musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, or rheumatological disorder.
Causes and Symptoms
- TMD may develop following physical trauma, such as whiplash injury.
- Muscle-related TMD and joint-related TMD are two classifications of TMD.
- The Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) allows for multiple diagnoses.
- TMD can be acute (symptoms last less than 3 months) or chronic (symptoms last more than 3 months).
- Symptoms of TMD can involve various components of the masticatory system.
- Pain aggravated by manipulation or function (chewing, clenching, yawning)
- Dull or aching pain, poorly localized and intermittent
- Unilateral pain (one side) rather than bilateral
- Limited range of mandibular movement, causing difficulty eating or talking
- Noises from the joint during movement (clicking, popping, crepitus)
Treatment Options
- There are many treatments available for TMD, but there is a lack of evidence for their effectiveness.
- Common treatments include occlusal splints, cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, and pain medication.
- Irreversible treatments should not be carried out for TMD.
- There is no widely accepted treatment protocol for TMD.
- Treatment for TMD should be individualized based on the patient's specific symptoms and needs.
Complications and Controversies
- TMD can lead to chronic and difficult-to-manage symptoms.
- The causes and factors associated with TMD are poorly understood.
- There is disagreement about the relative importance of overlapping medical conditions in TMD.
- The terminology and classification of TMD are still debated.
- TMD has been compared to other pain syndromes like fibromyalgia and chronic lower back pain.
Subtopics (Symptoms, Causes, Mechanisms, Joint Noises, Pain Symptoms, Degenerative Joint Disease, Diagnosis)
- Subtopic 1: Symptoms
- Subtopic 2: Causes (Trauma, Occlusal factors, Genetic factors, Hormonal factors, Possible associations)
- Subtopic 3: Mechanisms of TMJ movement
- Subtopic 4: Joint noises
- Subtopic 5: Pain symptoms
- Subtopic 6: Degenerative joint disease
- Subtopic 7: Diagnosis (RDC/TMD criteria)
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD, TMJD) is an umbrella term covering pain and dysfunction of the muscles of mastication (the muscles that move the jaw) and the temporomandibular joints (the joints which connect the mandible to the skull). The most important feature is pain, followed by restricted mandibular movement, and noises from the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) during jaw movement. Although TMD is not life-threatening, it can be detrimental to quality of life; this is because the symptoms can become chronic and difficult to manage.
| Temporomandibular joint dysfunction | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome, temporomandibular disorder, others |
 | |
| Temporomandibular joint | |
| Specialty | Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Oral medicine |
In this article, the term temporomandibular disorder is taken to mean any disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (here also abbreviated to TMD) is taken to mean symptomatic (e.g. pain, limitation of movement, clicking) dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. However, there is no single, globally accepted term or definition concerning this topic.
TMDs have a range of causes and often co-occur with a number of overlapping medical conditions, including headaches, fibromyalgia, back pain, and irritable bowel. However, these factors are poorly understood, and there is disagreement as to their relative importance. There are many treatments available, although there is a general lack of evidence for any treatment in TMD, and no widely accepted treatment protocol. Common treatments include provision of occlusal splints, psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, and pain medication or others. Most sources agree that no irreversible treatment should be carried out for TMD.
About 20% to 30% of the adult population are affected to some degree. Usually people affected by TMD are between 20 and 40 years of age, and it is more common in females than males. TMD is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain (i.e. toothache).
temporomandibular joint dysfunction (plural temporomandibular joint dysfunctions)
