Temporomandibular Junction Disorders

Temporomandibular junction disorders (TMD) are a common problem for patients presenting to the primary care office. Symptoms may be acute or chronic. Patients may report a variety of complaints such as: painful clicking at the joint, difficulty opening the mouth or chewing, tenderness in the muscles around the joint, headaches, or tinnitus. Physical examination findings vary and may include palpable tenderness or spasm of the pterygoid muscles, palpable or audible clicking at the joint, wear and tear of tooth enamel, or dental malocclusion. Most TMDs respond well to conservative therapy, but some patients may benefit from more invasive treatments.