Diagnosis and Treatment Modalities for Temporomandibular Disorders (Part I): History, Classification, Anatomy and Patient Evaluation

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is not just one disorder, but a group of conditions, often painful, that affect the temporomandibular joint, and the muscles that control chewing. Many psychological and physical factors cause myofascial pain, internal derangement of the joint, degenerative joint diseases which ultimately leads to temporomandibular disorder. Scientists are exploring how behavioral, psychological and physical factors may combine to cause temporomandibular disorders and researchers are working to clarify temporomandibular disorders symptoms, with the goal of developing easier and better methods of diagnosis and improved treatment. In part 1 of this 2-part series on temporomandibular disorders, emphasis will be placed on the history and classification of temporomandibular disorders, structure and function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and patient evaluation techniques.