• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.14-35
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• 2024

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most unique joints in the human body that orchestrates complex movements across different orthogonal planes and multiple axes of rotation. Comprising the articular eminence of the temporal bone and the condylar process of the mandible, the TMJ integrates five major ligaments, retrodiscal tissues, nerves, and blood and lymph systems to facilitate its function. Cooperation between the contralateral TMJ and masticatory muscles is essential for coordinated serial dynamic functions. During mouth opening, the TMJ exhibits a hinge movement, followed by gliding. The health of the masticatory system, which is intricately linked to chewing, energy intake, and communication, has become increasingly crucial with advancing age, exerting an impact on oral and systemic health and overall quality of life. For individuals to lead a healthy and pain-free life, a comprehensive understanding of the basic anatomy and functional aspects of the TMJ and masticatory muscles is imperative. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) encompass a spectrum of diseases and disorders associated with changes in the structure, function, or physiology of the TMJ and masticatory system. Functional and pathological alterations in the TMJ and masticatory muscles can be visualized using various imaging modalities, such as cone-beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scans. An exploration of potential pathophysiological mechanisms related to the TMJ anatomy contributes to a comprehensive understanding of TMD and informs targeted treatment strategies. Hence, this narrative review presents insights into the fundamental functional anatomy of the TMJ and pathological changes that evolve with TMD progression.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder follow-up and determine the factors that affect the TMJ bone scan hot spot numerical value (bone scan value), and to compare this value to the diagnosis of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), their treatment options, and the resolution of their symptoms. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 24 patients (four males, 20 females) who received TMD treatment in the Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (Seongnam, Korea) from 2007 to 2014. An analysis of the significance test and correlation between TMD diagnosis, treatment options, a baseline the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire, treatment before and after the clinical examination and subjective progress, and TMJ bone scan value change were completed by using SPSS version 12.0. Result: Although only 14 patients had bony factors that caused TMD, the average pre-treatment bone scan value of the all patients was $4.29{\pm}0.31$, which is higher than the finding for osteoarthritis (3.88), and reduced post-treatment bone scan value was found to be without a statistically significant difference (P=0.056). After the treatments, clinical symptoms in 18 patients disappeared, and six patients did not require additional treatment, although they still displayed subjective symptoms. It was observed that the higher the pre-treatment bone scan value, nonspecific physical symptoms, chronic pain index, characteristic pain intensity, disability score, were, the lower the post-treatment bone scan value was. And this reduced post-treatment bone scan value tendency was not shown with the pre-treatment depression index, but there was not a statistical difference. Conclusion: The post-treatment TMJ bone scan value tended to be insignificantly reduced in the 24 patients whose clinical symptoms were improved (P=0.056). Moreover, the TMJ bone scan value showed no relation to the TMD type or its related symptoms.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.370-378
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is that evaluate the distribution and biological roles of TNF-a, interleukin-1${\beta}$(IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in the synovial fliud of patients with non-inflammatory chronic temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorders in relation to pain during joint movements and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings. TMJ synovial fluids aspirates were obtained from 36 patients (36 joints) with chronic TMJ disorders and from 8 controls(8 joints). Patients were divided to four groups. The control group was from healthy volunteers(8 joints), group I(18 joints) was patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction, group II(5 joints) was patients with disc displacement without reduction and group III (5 joints) was osteoarthritis. The TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 levels in the aspirates were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the TIMP-1 level was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Following examinations for pain during joint movements and MRI observations, these cytokines' level and frequencies of detection were compared. The level of IL-1${\beta}$was not significant different in all groups. but the level of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and TIMP-1 were significant different among groups. The level of IL-6 and TIMP-1 were correlated to pain during movement(p<0.01) and the level of TNF-a(p<0.05). Also, the level of IL-6 was correlated to the level of TIMP-1(p<0.01). Especially, The level of the TIMP-1 level was significantly correlated to the pain during movement and showed very high levle of Pearson's correlation coefficient (r=0.833)(p<0.001). The results indicated that the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and TIMP-1 levels in the TMJ aspirates of patients with chronic TMJ disorders have been raised. Especially, IL-6 and TIMP-1 were very high levels in the patients who were degraded in the TMJ. Also, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and TIMP-1 showed the significant correlation in the chronic temporomandibular joint disorders. Therefore I suggest that these cytokines were also correlated to the pain during movement in the chronic temporomandibular joint disorders.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.65-68
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• 2019

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), involving the masticator system of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticator muscle, can be characterized with the cardinal signs and symptoms of jaw pain, noises and limitation of mandibular range of motion. However, TMD requires differential diagnosis due to its heterogeneous characteristics with various causes despite the similar clinical profiles. Oral cancer involving TMJ and the masticator system, although infrequent, can be one of these causes and should be considered one of the most life-threatening disease mimicking TMDs. This report introduces a case of masticator space tumor originally diagnosed as TMD in a 73-year-old Korean female with previous history of brain tumor. The clinical signs and symptoms closely mimic that of TMD which may have disrupted differential diagnosis. We discuss here key points for suspecting TMDs of secondary origin, namely, that of cancer and the implications it has on dental clinicians.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2023

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that encompass symptoms caused by abnormalities of the craniofacial structures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles involved in the masticatory system, and other related tissues or structures. Although TMDs can occur at any age, research on the prevalence, epidemiology, and treatment strategies of TMDs has been conducted in all age groups, but primarily in adults. Unlike adults, children and adolescents are in a period of cognitive and physical development. Because of this growth potential, children respond better to TMD treatment than adults do. However, clinicians must remember that chronic pain and growth abnormalities can occur if the patient's symptoms and signs are not accurately diagnosed and treated. This article reviews the growth and development of the craniofacial region, including the TMJ, and discusses considerations when diagnosing and treating TMDs in children and adolescents.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2002

Purpose: To examine the possible relationship between condylar position and disk displacement in the temporomandibular joint. Materials and Methods: 79 temporomandibular joints in 40 patients having temporomandibular disorders were classified into three categories: no disk displacement (NDD) , disk displacement with reduction (DDWR), and disk displacement without reduction (DDWOR). Disk positions were assessed from clinical and MRI findings. The relationship between the three categories and condylar positions was evaluated using lateral individualized corrected tomography. Results: Clinical findings regarding the relationship between condyle and disk positions having anterior, centric, and posterior positions were 27%, 27%, and 46%, respectively, in NDD, 43%, 17%, and 40%, respectively, in DDWR, and 44%, 22%, and 34%, respectively, in DDWOR. There were no significant differences in condylar positions between each of the groups (P>0.05). In the relationship between condyle and disk positions with MRI findings, anterior, centric, and posterior positions were 38%, 38%, and 24%, respectively, in NDD, 29%, 21%, and 50%, respectively, in DDWR, and 44%, 9%, and 47% respectively, in DDWOR. There were significant differences in the condylar positions when MRI was utilized (P<0.05) Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between the condyle and disk positions with MRI findings on lateral individualized corrected tomography.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.244-251
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• 2020

Objective: Physical therapy techniques are required for patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), but the effects of treatment have not been compared. Therefore, effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and low level laser (LLL), which are most commonly used interventions, were compared. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-six participants with pain in the temporomandibular joint were enrolled, and 12 participants were randomly assigned to either the TENS group, LLL group, or placebo group. Each intervention was performed for a total of 6 sessions for 2 weeks. For the evaluation of the participants, the mouth opening (MO), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and stress were measured at three time periods: baseline, post-test, and follow-up at 2 weeks. Results: Significant interaction between groups according to each evaluation point was found only in PPT-masseter (p<0.05). The evaluation time point at which a significant difference appeared was at the post-test and follow-up at 2 weeks time periods. As a result of the post-test, the LLL group showed a significant improvement compared to the TENS group (p<0.05), and at 2 weeks follow-up, the TENS group showed a significant improvement compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, an experiment was conducted to compare the treatment effects when TENS, LLL, and placebo were given to patients with TMD. In addition, by quantitatively presenting the effect size of each treatment, this study suggests clinical use of TENS and LLL treatment for TMD.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.319-328
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• 2009

Temporomandibular disorders(TMD) have been defined as a collective term embracing a number of clinical problems that involve the temporomandibular joint, the masticatory muscles, and associated structures. Since Dr. Costen, an otolaryngologist, published his article in 1934 claiming that pain in and around the jaw and "related ear symptoms" improved with alteration of the bite, diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders(TMD) have been within the concept of occlusion. However most of the modern descriptions for TMD no longer include occlusal disorders within their domain. Despite this trend toward the exclusion of occlusal disorders from TMD domain, the historical linkages between TMD and occlusal therapy are still strong. Currently the most popular theories regarding TMD etiology are based on the biopsychosocial model. In the future, treatment modalities should be directed at the pathophysiological processes of joint and muscle pain as well as the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.409-413
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• 2022

This report presents a rare case where a displaced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc was reduced to its normal position after orthognathic surgery, and long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up visualized these postoperative changes. A 22-year-old male patient presented for facial asymmetry. He also complained of pain in the right TMJ area, and MRI showed disc displacements in both TMJs. After orthognathic surgery for facial asymmetry correction, the TMJ was re-evaluated. The symptom had resolved and the disc was positioned within the normal range during mouth opening. However, 6 and a half years after surgery, he complained of recurrent pain in the right joint, and MRI revealed medial disc displacement in the right TMJ. In conclusion, the influence of orthognathic surgery on the disc position might continue for a long time until the TMJ adapts to the new position. Careful and long-term follow-up is suggested to assess the TMJ complex.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.127-141
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the clinical features of internal derangement of temporomandibular joint. For this study, 117 patients with temporomandibular disorders and 81 dental students without any signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were selected as the patients group and as the control group, respectively. Preferred chewing side, Angle's classification, lateral guidance pattern, maximal mouth opening range, and affected side were recorded clinically. Head and shouldeer posture was measured in a groundplate on which square diagram of five centimeters each had been drawn, and cephalograph was also taken for measurement of head and neck posture. Sonopak of Biopak system (Bioresearch inc., USA) was used to record joint vibration for evaluation of internal healthy status of temporomandibular joint. The data collected were analyzed by SAS statistical program. The results of this study were as follows : 1. Frequency of left side chewing subjects was higher in patients than in control group, but there was no difference in distribution of subjects by Angle's classification. Other types was prvalent in patients whereas group function was more in control group for lateral guidance pattern. 2. As to lateral guidance pattern by clinical diagnosis, patients with internal derangement and/or degenerative joint disease showed higher frequency was consistent with the result by Sonopak impression. 3. There was no difference for shoulder height between the two groups, however, tilting of head and backward extension of cervical spine was more frequent in control group. 4. Acromion was positioned more anteriorly in patients with internal derangement and/or degenerative joint disease than in control group and angle between eye and tragus was larger in patients. Patients with degenerative joint disease showed more flexed head posture than control group did in cephalometric profile. 5. Maximal mouth opening range in patients with internal derangement was the least in all subgroups in patients classified by Sonopak impression.