Tempomandibular Joint Disc Displacement Issues
Disc displacement in the jaw joint is common and can cause clicking, pain, and dysfunction. The cause is multifactorial, including trauma and parafunctions. Treatment focuses on education, movement exercises, and bite splints, while surgery is only necessary in exceptional cases.
Table of contents
This article is based on an original article in Swedish which can be found here
BACKGROUND
The temporomandibular joint disc – a fibrous cartilage plate approximately 2 mm thick, 15 mm long, and 20 mm wide – divides the joint into an upper and a lower joint compartment and follows the movements of the mandibular condyle during jaw function [1]. If the disc is displaced, it can sometimes lead to symptoms such as joint sounds, limited movement of the mandible, or pain. The condition is harmless and has a good prognosis but can be perceived as disabling.
Epidemiology
Disc displacement has been shown in scientific studies to be a very common condition. The prevalence is estimated to be between one in five and one in three individuals, with a predominance of women [2]. Often, the problems related to disc displacement begin in early adolescence and become less common in adulthood. Not all disc displacements are symptomatic, and even fewer require treatment.
Causes
No clear and distinct single cause of disc displacement has been identified so far; instead, the etiology is likely multifactorial [3]. Trauma, anatomical factors, parafunctional activity in the masticatory system, general joint hypermobility, and occlusal factors have been suggested as potentially contributing factors.
For some patients, the condition begins in connection with trauma to the mandible – for example, during sports activities or chewing certain foods – but also over time, repeated microtraumatic events such as nail-biting or bruxism may likely contribute to disc displacement.
