The Jaw Joint
The jaw joint, namely the temporomandibular joint, located in front of the ear and providing the connection between the lower jawbone and the temporal bone, is the most special joint in the body in respect of its function and structure. Temporomandibular joint disorders can be described as pain and dysfunction affecting the jaw joint and chewing muscles that function along with it. The incidence rate of temporomandibular joint disorders is very high in our society. The most common symptoms include the sound and pain during mouth opening and the restriction of mandibular movement.
Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders should be determined through the examination performed by physicians specialized in this subject, and a patient-specific treatment strategy should be developed according to the type and severity of the joint disorder. Joint disorders can be treated with a variety of methods, from behavioral therapy to joint surgery, and frequently respond to conservative treatments such as drug therapy, occlusal splint therapy, and minimally invasive methods such as arthrocentesis and botulinum toxin injections. Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, primarily patient compliance.