Temporomandibular Disorders: A Clinician's Guide for Nonsurgical and Surgical Interventions

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) comprise a group of anatomical and clinical problems involving the musculature of masticatory function, temporomandibular joint, associated neurologic structures, and surrounding musculature of the head and neck. The epidemiology of TMD can be classified with respect to gender and prevalence. This chapter aims to provide the practitioner with well-received therapeutic options to treat the broad spectrum of both acute and chronic TMD. It describes the pathophysiology of TMD with an overview of nonsurgical and surgical modalities that are available to the patient population who present with TMD in clinical practice. In general, TMD can be categorized as articular and nonarticular disorders. The diagnosis of TMD requires a focused approach following a set of criteria that includes the history of the present illness and an in-depth physical examination.