Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Other names	Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome, temporomandibular disorder, others[1]
Temporomandibular joint
Specialty	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Oral medicine

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,^[2] and noises from the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) during jaw movement. Although TMD is not life-threatening, it can be detrimental to quality of life;^[3] this is because the symptoms can become chronic and difficult to manage.

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^[4] 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.^[5] However, these factors are poorly understood,^[6] and there is disagreement as to their relative importance. There are many treatments available,^[7] 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.^[8]

The prevalence of TMD in the global population is 34%. It varies by continent: the highest rate is in South America at 47%, followed by Asia at 33%, Europe at 29%, and North America at 26%.^[9] About 20% to 30% of the adult population are affected to some degree.^[7] Usually people affected by TMD are between 20 and 40 years of age,^[3] and it is more common in females than males.^[10] TMD is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain (i.e. toothache).^[11]