Clinical treatment for symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorder

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or the masticatory musculature, both of which connect the mandible to the skull1. Generally, patients with TMD present with pain symptoms (e.g., jaw ache, earache, toothache, facial pain, and headache). Despite of various studies, the pathophysiological etiology of TMD remains unclear; however, these studies have led to improvements in diagnosis and treatment of TMD.

TMD is generally classified as a disorder of the either the TMJ or the musculature2. Disorders of the TMJ result from biomechanical imbalance between the disc and condyle2; this imbalance may induce disc interference disorders or internal derangements, which can be asymptomatic or symptomatic, and are triggered by inflammation in TMJ. Common disorders of the TMJ (e.g., disc displacement with/without reduction, retrodiscitis, TMJ subluxation, and osteoarthritic changes) may be accompanied by one or more signs (e.g., a painful or non-painful click, painful limitation of opening, orofacial pain, and progressive degeneration of TMJ articular cartilage)2.

Muscular disorder TMD is generally classified as myalgia, myofascial pain, and myositis. Myalgia may induce acute pain along with a dull ache as that caused by muscle injury or strain2; sometimes the pain of muscle tension can be chronic. Myofascial pain may also manifest as a dull ache with varying intensity. In cases of myofascial pain, palpation of trigger points should duplicate the pain threshold3; therefore, clinicians can easily detect the myofascial pain trigger points and confirm the diagnosis. Myositis consists of localized transient muscle and facial tissue swelling caused by infection or injury4; mandibular movement and localized tenderness have a tendency to increase the pain threshold.

For patients with TMD, the aim of clinical management is to relieve the symptoms (pain with mandibular function, facial pain, headache, etc.) by restoring normal mandibular range of motion and normal masticatory and jaw function2. TMD clinical management can take the form of self-care programs, nonsurgical medical care, and surgical care.

1) Self-care programs

Patient education for managing TMD symptoms should initially be performed frequently2; after receiving education on selfmanagement of TMD symptoms patients report an immediate reduction in pain. Therefore, outcomes of clinical treatment might be alleviated by informing and reassuring the patient regarding their condition and symptoms.

2) Non-surgical medical care

Nonsurgical medical care (e.g., physical therapy, pharmacotherapy, occlusal appliance therapy, and occlusal adjustment) is used to relieve symptoms in patients with TMD. Physical therapy using moist heat or cold compresses, or alternation of both modalities, have been reported to improve movement and relaxation of the jaw through restoring normal functions of the TMJ, mastication muscles, and cervical neck muscles4,5. Pharmacotherapy, one of the most effective forms of clinical management for TMD symptoms, usually involves analgesics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib), local anesthetics (procaine and lidocaine), oral and injectable corticosteroids for managing the TMJ pain, sodium hyaluronate injection to manage TMJ osteoarthritis, muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine, etc.), and antidepressants to manage myofascial pain2. Although occlusal appliance therapy can reduce joint and muscle pain, there is an associated risk of potential side effects6. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy of occlusal adjustment for managing or preventing TMD7.

3) Surgical care

When non-surgical therapies are ineffective, surgical care is recommended for patients with symptomatic TMD8. Arthrocentesis is a conservative treatment that involves intraarticular lavage with or without deposition of corticosteroids, and is useful in cases with intraarticular restriction of movement9. Arthroscopy is a closed surgical procedure that allows direct internal observation of the TMJ10 and is useful in cases of TMJ hypomobility as well as in TMJ tissue sampling. Arthroscopy is an open surgical procedure used for reconstructing or replacing the TMJ in cases of neoplasia, bony or fibrous ankylosis, severe chronic arthritis, and severe chronic dislocations4. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons with expertise in TMJ surgery must carefully plan clinical treatment based on a variety of factors (e.g., chief complaint, degree of internal derangement, medical history, presenting symptoms, and diagnosis).

A number of recent studies regarding the pathophysiological etiologies or clinical management of TMD have provided the opportunity for greater standardization of TMD classification. These studies have also allowed for improvements in diagnosis and higher success rates for therapy. Currently, clinicians can provide correct diagnosis and clinical management of TMD based on a great deal of clinical experience and knowledge.