MYOGENOUS TMD
(muscle related) usually results from overwork, fatigue or tension of the jaw and supporting muscles resulting in jaw ache, headache and sometimes neckache.

ABNORMAL TMJ
ANTERIORLY DISPLACED DISC

ARTHROGENOUS TMD
(joint related) usually results from inflammation, disease or degeneration of the hard or soft tissues within the TMJ.  Capsulitis and synovitis (inflammation), disc dislocation (also called internal derangement) and degenerative arthritis are the most common arthrogenous disorders of the TMJ.

CAUSES FOR TMD
Causes for TMD are unclear as TMD usually involves more than a single symptom and rarely has a single cause.  TMD is believed to result from several factors acting together, including jaw injuries (trauma), and joint disease (arthritis).  Tooth clenching and grinding (bruxism) and head and neck muscle tension, while not scientifically proven to be a cause of TMD, may perpetuate TMD symptoms and often need to be controlled to reduce and manage TMD.  It is important for the TMD patient to understand that the disorder can be chronic in nature and highly dependent upon multiple factors including emotional stability.  Because there is no “quick fix” or immediate cure for TMD, the most successful and scientifically supported treatments focus on self-management and control of the aggravating factors.

ABNORMAL TMJ
ANTERIORLY DISPLACED DISC
WITH CHANGES IN SHAPE AND OTHER
DEGENERATIVE CHANGES

What is TMJ?

TMD Factors