Discussions, on Treatment of TMJ Disorders, Orofacial Pain, & Dysfunction, TMD Secondary Headaches, Dental Sleep Medicine

Book excerpt: Temporomandibular disorders are defined as a subgroup of craniofacial pain problems that involve the TMJ, masticatory muscles, and associated head and neck musculoskeletal structures. pain, limited or asymmetric mandibular motion, and TMJ sounds. The pain or discomfort .is often localized to the jaw, TMJ, and muscles of mastication. Common associated symptoms include ear pain and stuffiness, tinnitus, dizziness, neck pain, and headache. In some cases, the onset is acute and symptoms are mild and self-limiting. In other patients, a chronic temporomandibular disorder develops, with persistent pain and physical, behavioral, psychological, and psychosocial symptoms similar to those of patients with chronic pain syndromes in other areas of the body (e.g., arthritis, low back pain, chronic headache, fibromyalgia, and chronic regional pain.