National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery

Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications

Etiological factors of temporomandibular joint disorders

Shalender Sharma, D. S. Gupta, U.S. Pal, and Sunit Kumar Jurel
Departement of Oral Surgary, TMDCRC, Moradabad, UP, India
Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2011 Jul-Dec; 2(2): 116-119
doi: 10.4103/0975-5950.94463

Abstract
The temporomandibular joint receives its name from the two bones that enter into its formation, namely
the temporal bone and the mandible. This complex synovial system is composed of two
temporomandibular joints together with their articulating ligaments and masticatory muscles. This
articulation affects other synovial joints that relate specifically to masticatory function. The causes of
temporomandibular disorders are complex and multifactorial. There are numerous factors that can
contribute to temporomandibular disorders. In some instances a single factor may serve one or all of these
roles. Iatrogenic injuries can act as both initiating as well as predisposing factors. The term
craniomandibular disorder is used synonymously with the term temporomandibular disorders and is
considered a major cause of nondental pain in the orofacial pain region. The successful management of
temporomandibular disorders is dependent on identifying and controlling the contributing factors. The
temporomandibular disorders are more common in females, the reason is not clearly known. The
following article provides detailed information regarding temporomandibular joint disorders.
Keywords: Articulation, pain, temporomandibular joint

INTRODUCTION
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction
in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. The movement of the mandible needs
coordination between them to maximize function and minimize the damage to surrounding structures.[ 1]
A rather unique feature of temporomandibular joint articulation is that it has two joints. The articular disc
between the condyle and the temporal bone serves to separate the structures into two separate joint
cavities. In the inferior joint between the head of the mandibular condyle and the articular disc the
movement is almost totally of a rotary or hinge type whereas in the superior joint between the temporal
bone and the articular disc the movement is gliding or translatory.[2]
The origin and homologies of the jaws in all vertebrates were clearly outlined in the last century by
Gegenbauer,[3] later a definitive statement of this was made by Reichert in 1837 known as the Reichert
Theory.[4] Fawcett[5] has shown that in man, dermal bones (as the name implies they directly arise in the
dermal tissue) cover the cranium, house the facial organs and form the adult jaws. Remnants of the
cartilaginous upper jaw have been described in the human embryo and Meckel's cartilage is the well-
known embryonic vestige of the lower jaw. This dermal bone is one of the earliest bones to appear in the
fetus.
It is evident from the numerous epidemiologic studies on the occurrence of temporomandibular disorders
in the general population that there are a number of consistent findings. Firstly, signs of
temporomandibular disorders appear in about 60–70% of the general population and yet only about one in
four people with signs are actually aware of or report any symptoms.[6] The frequency of severe
disorders that are accompanied by headache and facial pain and that are characterized by urgent need of
treatment is 1–2% in children, about 5% in adolescents and 5–12% in adults.[7]
Another consistent finding is that among those who seek treatment for temporomandibular disorders, by
far the greatest majority are females, outnumbering males by at least four to one. It is not clear why this is
so since it is suspected that temporomandibular disorders affect both males and females in almost equal
numbers in the general population. Severe problems are much more common among women in clinical
populations, and the ratio between women and men who seeks treatment for TMJ disorder is 8:1.[8]
During the first half of the 20 th century, displacement of the temporomandibular joint meniscus, with
attending clinical signs and symptoms including pain and popping, were described. In 1934, James
Costen[9] described a group of symptoms that were centered on the ear and temporomandibular joint.
Because of his work the term “Costen's syndrome” was developed.
In 1947, Nogaard[10] used arthrographic techniques to demonstrate anterior displacement of the articular
disk in clicking or popping temporomandibular joint. During the 1950s, Schwartz[11] coined the term
“Temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome”. Later came the term the “Functional
temporomandibular joint disturbances” coined by Ash and Ramford.[12]
Some terms described the suggested etiologic factors, such as occlusomandibular disturbance and
myoarthropathy of the temporomandibular joint, others stressed pain dysfunction syndrome, myofacial
pain dysfunction syndrome and temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome. Subsequently, as a result
of clinical observation and a variety of research studies, Laskin[13] proposed the term “Myofacial Pain
Dysfunction Syndrome (MPDS)”. He attributed the features of pain, joint sounds and limited mandibular
movement to multiple causes and provided experimental evidence for the concept of a psychophysiologic
disorder.
The symptoms are not always confined to the temporomandibular joint. Some authors believe that the
forgoing is too limited and that a broader more collective term should be used, such as “craniomandibular
disorders”. The term craniomandibular disorders is used synonymously with the term temporomandibular
disorders and is considered a major cause of nondental pain in the orofacial pain region.
Bell[14] suggested the term temporomandibular disorders. The wide variety of terms used has contributed
to the great amount of confusion that exists in this already complicated field. Therefore, the American
Dental Association has adopted the term temporomandibular disorders. Fascialarthromyalgia, mandibular
dysfunction, myofascial pain, masticatory myalgia syndrome and primary myalgia affecting the
masticatory musculature are also used synonymously.

ETIOLOGICAL  FACTORS
The causes of temporomandibular disorders[7] are complex and multifactorial. There are numerous
factors that can contribute to temporomandibular disorders. Factors that increase the risk of
temporomandibular disorders are called “Predisposing factors” and those causing the onset of
temporomandibular disorders are called “Initiating factors” and factors that interfere with healing or
enhance the progression of temporomandibular disorder are called “Perpetuating factors.”
In some instances a single factor may serve one or all of these roles. The successful management of
temporomandibular disorders is dependent on identifying and controlling the contributing factors which
include occlusal abnormalities, orthodontic treatment, bruxism and orthopedic instability, macrotrauma
and microtrauma, factors like poor health and nutrition, joint laxity and exogenous estrogen.[15]
Psychosocial factors like stress, tension, anxiety and depression may lead to temporomandibular joint
disorders.[16] A case controlled study conducted in a dental school used clinical and neurophysiologic
 evaluations to examine the role of sleep dysfunction and depression alone or in combination with
temporomandibular joint disorders. The resulting analysis demonstrated that depression was significantly
more common in the temporomandibular joint disorder group than in the control group.[17]
Occlusion is the first and probably the most discussed etiologic factor of temporomandibular disorders.
Costen[9] concluded that overclosure was the cause of symptoms in temporomandibular disorders .
Because of this reason he and other contemporary dentists adopted bite raising dental procedures as the
treatment for temporomandibular disorder, which however failed to give expected relief to the patients.
The role of occlusion in the development of temporomandibular joint disorders is controversial. Today its
role is widely considered as contributing by initiating, perpetuating or predisposing of temporomandibular
joint disorders.[18] Initiating factors lead to the onset of the symptoms and are related primarily to trauma
or adverse loading of the masticatory system. In the perpetuating factors the following may be included:
a. Behavioral factors (grinding, clenching and abnormal head posture)
b. Social factors (could effect perception and influence of learned response to pain)
c. Emotional factors (depression and anxiety)
d. Cognitive factors (negative thoughts and attitudes which can make resolution of the illness more
difficult).
Predisposing factors are pathophysiologic, psychological or structural processes that alter the masticatory
system sufficiently to increase the risk of development of temporomandibular disorders. Pullinger,
Seligman and Gornbein[19] applied multiple factor analysis, which indicated the low correlation of
occlusion to temporomandibular disorders. However, the following occlusal factors had a slight relation:
a. Open bite
b. Overjet greater than 6-7 mm
c. Retruded contact position/intercuspal position with sliding greater than 4 mm
d. Unilateral lingual cross-bite
e. Five or more missing posterior teeth
f. Faulty restorations and ill-fitting prosthesis.
With regards to the distribution of occlusal contacts, the symmetry of their intensity rather than the
symmetry of their number in the posterior occlusion seemed to be more important in relation to
temporomandibular function.[20] Increased number and more frequent headaches in individuals with few
occlusal contacts have also been noted.[21]
Pullinger and Seligman[22] further estimated that occlusal factors contribute about 10–20% to the total
spectrum of etiological factors which differentiates between healthy persons and patients with
temporomandibular joint disorders.
Decreased disk: eminence ratio (antero-posterior length of the disk in relation to the length of the articular
eminence) is associated with advanced stages of temporomandibular joint internal derangement. In a
patient with a flat eminence there is a minimum amount of posterior rotation of the disk on the condyle
during opening. As the steepness increases, more rotational movement is required between the disk and
condyle during translation of the condyle. Therefore patients with steep articular eminences are more
likely to demonstrate greater condyle-disk movement during function. This exaggerated condyle-disk
movement may increase the risk of ligament elongation that leads to disk derangement disorders. Perhaps
this predisposing factor is only significant when combined with other factors that relate to the amount of
joint function and loading.[23]
Iatrogenic injuries can act as both initiating as well as predisposing factors. This can occur during any
dental procedure in which there is prolonged opening like orthodontic treatment, single-sitting root canal
treatment or because of factors like relapse which causes a functional imbalance between the
temporomandibular joints, muscles and occlusion. To avoid this type of damage to the
temporomandibular joint, we should always perform an examination of the joint [Tables [Tables11 and
and22].[7] All the principles of physical examination are used. Inspection begins with the operator
standing directly in front of the patient. Palpation of the muscles and joints are best accomplished with the
operator standing behind the patient. Bilateral palpation is the method of choice, since movements of the
joints demand contralateral action of the joints and muscles. The examiner feels for smoothness in the
function of the joints. Auscultation of the joints can be accomplished simply by listening for any
abnormal sounds of snapping, grating or clicking that may occur during the movements. A stethoscope
may be of value to one trained in its use for temporomandibular joint sounds. Percussion of the jaws may
be of value when cavities, fractures or reflexive movements of the mandible are to be evaluated.
Percussion should be indirect when testing for cavities and fractures of the bone and direct when testing
for reflex action of the mandible.

Table 1
Examination of temporomandibular joint

Table 2
Examination of temporomandibular joint

SUMMARY
Temporomandibular joint disorders do not constitute one particular or single abnormal condition; rather
they are multifactorial, and include stressful activities, emotional diseases, structural mal-relationships,
trauma, malocclusion and various types of arthritis or viral diseases.
The onset of temporomandibular joint disorders cannot be predicted. No method of prevention of these
disorders has been demonstrated. Once it occurs, cure cannot be assured. Perfect harmony between the
teeth, muscles, nerves, supporting tissues and temporomandibular joints must be established to provide
health, functional efficiency, esthetics and stability to the entire stomatognathic system.

Footnotes
Source of Support: Nil.
Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Article information
Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2011 Jul-Dec; 2(2): 116–119.
doi: 10.4103/0975-5950.94463
PMCID: PMC3343405
PMID: 22639496
Shalender Sharma, D. S. Gupta, U. S. Pal, and Sunit Kumar Jurel
Department of Oral Surgery, TMDCRC, Moradabad, UP, India
Address for correspondence: Dr. Shalender Sharma, Department of Oral Surgery, TMDCRC, Moradabad, UP-133
203, India. E-mail: moc.liamffider@rednelahs.amrahs
Copyright : © National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery
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