Management of temporomandibular disorders in the primary care setting

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a major cause of orofacial pain resulting in significant morbidity and reduction in an individual’s perceived quality of life. They are a group of disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles and surrounding structures. Up to 70% of the general population have detectable signs of TMDs, of whom only 15% are significantly affected and only 5% seek treatment, with women being twice as likely to be affected.1 Most acute articular inflammation is transient, resulting in patients not seeking treatment, and those with chronic pain tend to have acute exacerbations managed with simple conservative measures.