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TMD

Temporomandibular Disorders. Part 1: Anatomy, Aetiology, Diagnosis and Classification

From Volume 49, Issue 4, April 2022 | Pages 320-328

Authors

Funmi Oluwajana

Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester; Clinical Fellow, Health Education England Northwest

Articles by Funmi Oluwajana

Email Funmi Oluwajana

Pete Clarke

BDS(Hons), MFDS, MPerio

Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester

Articles by Pete Clarke

Emma Foster-Thomas

Academic Clinical Fellow in Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester

Articles by Emma Foster-Thomas

Martin James

Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester

Articles by Martin James

Charles Crawford

Lead Clinician TMD Clinic, University Dental Hospital of Manchester

Articles by Charles Crawford

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the most common causes of chronic pain in the orofacial region. The aetiology of TMD is complex owing to its multifactorial biopsychosocial nature. TMD shares many commonalities, and can be associated with, other chronic pain conditions. The physical and psychological impact of chronic pain on the individual can be far-reaching and should not be underestimated. This article, the first of a six-part series, aims to provide the reader with a background to TMDs as well as an overview of the clinical examination and diagnostic process for patients presenting with TMD-related pain.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of TMD with which their patients might present and understand the complex nature of chronic pain conditions.

Article

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can be defined as a heterogeneous group of musculoskeletal disorders involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and associated structures, characterized by pain and functional limitations in the orofacial region.1,2 It is a complex condition, influenced and affected by a variety of factors, with a wide spectrum of possible disorders and diagnoses.

This six-part series aims to explore the various aspects of TMD beginning with the patient presentation and diagnostic process, through the various forms and methods of management, non-surgical, pharmacological and surgical, that may be employed in isolation or in conjunction with one another. The aims of this paper are to discuss the anatomy of the TMJ and the epidemiology of the disorders, to describe the clinical features that a patient may present with, and to guide the practitioner through the diagnostic process.

The temporomandibular joint is an atypical synovial joint that permits a hinging movement and a gliding motion of the surfaces.3 The left and right condyles articulate with the temporal bone but are unable to move independently of each other.3 The TMJ shares some commonalities with other synovial joints such as a disc, fibrous capsule, fluid, synovial membrane and ligaments. However, the features that make the TMJ unique are its articular surface covered by fibrocartilage rather than hyaline cartilage.4

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