TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder refers to a cluster of conditions characterized by
pain in the TMJ or its surrounding tissues, functional limitations of the mandible, or clicking in
the TMJ during motion.1,2TMJ disorders are common and often self-limiting in the adult
population. In epidemiologic studies, up to 75 percent of adults show at least one sign of joint
dysfunction on examination and as many as one third have at least one symptom.2,3 However,
only 5 percent of adults with TMJ symptoms require treatment and even fewer develop chronic
or debilitating symptoms.