Temporomandibular Disorders

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. These disorders involve problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jawbone to the skull. People with TMD often experience jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and sometimes clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw. The condition can also cause headaches and ear discomfort due to the close proximity of the joint to these areas. TMD primarily impacts the musculoskeletal system and can affect daily activities like eating and speaking.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a group of conditions characterized by dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the masticatory muscles, or both. The core pathology involves joint inflammation, disc displacement, or muscle hyperactivity/spasm, often triggered by trauma, bruxism, or stress-related muscle tension. The disorder is significant due to its impact on jaw function, pain generation, and quality of life. Clinical features include jaw pain, limited mandibular movement, joint sounds (clicking or crepitus), and sometimes referred pain to the ear or head. The pathophysiology may involve degenerative joint disease, internal derangement of the articular disc, or myofascial pain syndrome. Diagnosis requires careful clinical evaluation to differentiate from other causes of orofacial pain.