TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular Disorders
aka TMD
Heterogeneous group of musculoskeletal & neuromuscular disorders involving TMJ, masticatory muscles and associated structures.
§ figuresFigures (3)
Fig. 1Conjunto de síntomas y signos principalmente sensitivos, dolor de cabeza (cefalea), y vegetativos, inestabilidad (mareos, vértigos), ocasionados por el impacto o choque de la mandíbula contra el maxilar superior durante
“COMPROMISO ARTICULAR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR (CAT)” · Jose Larena · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fig. 2Arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery are performed using a small diameter endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a preauricular approach.
“Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint” · Dithkar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fig. 3Temporomandibular joint
“Temporomandibular joint” · Anatomist90 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Verified open-access images only, reproduced for education under their stated licences · no AI-generated or illustrative artwork · Temporomandibular Disorders figures pending faculty review.
§ overviewOverview
Heterogeneous group of musculoskeletal & neuromuscular disorders involving TMJ, masticatory muscles and associated structures.
§ clinicalClinical Features
- 01Preauricular pain
- 02Clicking / crepitus
- 03Restricted mouth opening
- 04Deviation on opening
§ investigationsInvestigations
- 01Clinical DC/TMD criteria
- 02MRI — disc position and effusion
- 03CBCT — bony changes
§ classificationClassification
- 01Myofascial pain
- 02Disc displacement (with/without reduction)
- 03Osteoarthritis
- 04Ankylosis
§ treatmentTreatment
- 01Conservative: patient education, soft diet, NSAIDs, occlusal splints, physiotherapy
- 02Minimally invasive: arthrocentesis, intra-articular steroids/hyaluronate
- 03Surgical: arthroscopy, discoplasty, condylectomy, total joint replacement for end-stage disease
§ prognosisPrognosis
70–80% respond to conservative therapy.
§ evidenceReferences & Evidence
Current Classification
WHO Classification of Tumours Online — Head and Neck
IARC / WHO · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Evidence summary
Highest level of evidence linked to this page: WHO / Official Classification.
- L1 · Classification — 1
- L2 · Guideline — 1
- L6 · Textbook — 3
1 linked source was published from 2024 onwards. Where guidance is limited or contested, rely on the higher-level sources above rather than this summary. Educational use only — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Content last reviewed
September 2026
Evidence last reviewed
September 2026
Next scheduled review
September 2027
Review status
EVIDENCE REVIEWED
Search latest PubMed evidence
Last literature search: 7 September 2026
Current Classification
IARC / WHO. IARC · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Clinical Guidelines
Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E et al.. Journal of oral & facial pain and headache · 2014 · 28(1):6-27
International consensus diagnostic protocol (Axis I/II) for temporomandibular disorders, validated for clinical and research use.
Histopathology References
Barnes L. CRC Press · 2008
Detailed histopathological reference for head and neck diagnostic criteria.
Textbook References
Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM et al.. Elsevier · 2024
Standard reference textbook of oral and maxillofacial pathology used throughout this atlas.
Rajendran R, Sivapathasundharam B. Elsevier · 2020
Undergraduate and postgraduate oral pathology textbook widely used in BDS and FCPS curricula.
Draft — pending faculty review. Educational use only; verify against current guidelines and primary sources before clinical application.