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Cited by 351Temporomandibular Joint DisordersMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationOccupational health in dentistry

Temporomandibular disorders: A review of current concepts in aetiology, diagnosis and management

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Kapos, F.P., Exposto, F.G., Oyarzo, J.F., Durham, J.·2020·Oral Surgery
DOI 10.1111/ors.12473PMC PMC8631581
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Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a collective term for a group of musculoskeletal conditions involving pain and/or dysfunction in the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and associated structures. It is the most common type of non‐odontogenic orofacial pain and patients can present with pain affecting the face/head, TMJ and/or teeth, limitations in jaw movement and sounds in the TMJ during jaw movements. Comorbid painful and non‐painful conditions are also common among individuals with TMD. The diagnosis of TMD have significantly improved over time with the recent Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) being reliable and valid for most common diagnoses, and an efficient way to communicate in multidisciplinary settings. This classification covers 12 most common TMD, including painful (myalgia, arthralgia and headache attributed to TMD) as well as the non‐painful (disc displacements, degenerative joint disease and subluxation) TMD diagnoses. Recent studies have demonstrated that the pathophysiology of common painful TMD is biopsychosocial and multifactorial, where no one factor is responsible for its development. Importantly, research has suggested different predisposing, initiating and perpetuating factors, including both peripheral and central mechanisms. This is an active field of investigation and future studies will not only seek to clarify specific causal pathways but translate this knowledge into mechanism‐directed diagnosis and treatment. In accordance with this complex aetiology, current evidence supports primarily conservative multidisciplinary treatment including self‐management strategies, behavioural therapy, physical therapy and pharmacotherapy. The aim of this review is to present an overview of most recent developments in aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of TMD.

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Authors
Kapos, F. P., Exposto, F. G., Oyarzo, J. F., & Durham, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Washington (US)
  • Aarhus University (DK)
  • Universidad Andrés Bello (CL)
  • Newcastle University (GB)
Corresponding author
Kapos, F.P.
ORCID
Venue
Oral Surgery
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-10-10
Volume
13
Issue
4
Pages
321-334
ISSN
  • 1752-2471 (ISSN-L)
  • 1752-248X
DOI
10.1111/ors.12473
PMC
PMC8631581
OpenAlex
W3003009748
Cited by
351
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 100 · 2025: 114 · 2024: 69 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1
FWCI
19.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Oral Surgery (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Funders
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R90DE023059)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Complementary and Manual Therapy › Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Medical Laboratory Technology › Occupational health in dentistry
Keywords
temporomandibular disorders, temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, orofacial pain, pathophysiology, biopsychosocial model, disc displacement, osteoarthritis, subluxation, multidisciplinary treatment, self-management, behavior therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy

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