Diagnostic of Temporomandibular Disorders and Other Facial Pain Conditions—Narrative Review and Personal Experience

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders are complex dysfunctions of masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints. Their symptoms affect more than 40% of the population and their prevalence is rising. It is important to establish a unified protocol for this specialistic examination. This review describes the authors’ own longstanding experiences and the discrepancies in the current literature regarding this topic as well as a detailed procedure of diagnosing temporomandibular disorders including the leading but often underrated role of a medical interview. We presented optimal physical examination methods as well as specific situations in which additional diagnostic and imaging tools may be useful. The emphasis was put on the importance of differential diagnosis between temporomandibular disorders and other diseases presenting with similar symptoms.

Keywords

• diagnosis
• temporomandibular disorders
• disc displacement with reduction
• occlusal splint
• masticatory muscles
• facial pain