Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is one of the most common disorders in the maxillofacial region which usually presents with pain, unusual sounds, discomfort in chewing and locking of the jaw. TMD patients comprise a considerable proportion of patients seeking treatment; early diagnosis is important because it is proven that acute TMD responds well to treatment in contrast to chronic TMD. True diagnosis and treatment of TMD can be difficult, as these patients often suffer from some other disorder at the same time. In these cases, a successful treatment is due to true diagnosis of all initiating factors, predisposing and perpetuating factors and treatment of other established disorders. Most TMJ symptoms resolve over time, but a significant percentage requires a year or more to do so. The seriousness of the symptoms also varies greatly. On the other hand, the pathology tends to be progressive and can result in loss of condylar bone and development of facial deformity. Thus, when reviewing treatment options, the time course for resolution of symptoms, their seriousness, and the progressive nature of the disease should all be considered. Treatment efforts are directed toward: 1) reduction of pain, 2) improvement of dysfunction, 3) slowing the progression of diseases. Although few current treatment options appear to affect progression of  diseases favorably, this goal gains importance with accumulating evidence suggesting that progression to late-stage disease has a deleterious effect on pain resolution and plays a role in the development of facial deformity.
Keyword: Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint, Management