Temporomandibular Disorders Follow-up

  • Author: Charles F Guardia III, MD; Chief Editor: Robert A Egan, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 11, 2012
 

Prognosis

Most cases of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) respond to simple treatment and the prognosis is good. Symptoms usually remit with simple care. In cases of secondary involvement of temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the prognosis depends on the primary disease. A second opinion should be obtained in cases in which irreversible treatment is being considered.

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Patient Education

  • The pathology producing the pain and dysfunction should be discussed with the patient. Patients should be told about the possible prognosis of their problem. Myofascial pain and dysfunction tends to have a self-limiting course and needs simple treatment; even though these patients may have recurrences, the symptoms generally are controlled by simple treatment. A patient with TMD secondary to degenerative joint disease should be made aware of the signs of further deterioration such as increasing pain, further limitation of movement, and increased joint sounds.
  • Self-care includes simple measures such as soft diet with gradual progression to normal diet over 6-8 weeks, avoiding large bites and clenching of teeth, avoiding chewing gum and pens, keeping jaw relaxed, yawning against pressure, massage of jaw and temple muscles, use of moist heat, avoiding cradling the phone between ear and shoulder, good sleep posture with adequate neck support, and passive or active range of motion exercises.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Back, Ribs, Neck, and Head Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Charles F Guardia III, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Neurology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Charles F Guardia III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Medical Association, and Radiological Society of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA  Professor of Neurology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Neurology, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Schneck, MD  Vice Chair and Professor, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Loyola University, Chicago Stritch School of Medicine; Associate Director, Stroke Program, Director, Neurology Intensive Care Program, Medical Director, Neurosciences ICU, Loyola University Medical Center

Michael J Schneck, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Society of Neuroimaging, Neurocritical Care Society, and Stroke Council of the American Heart Association

Disclosure: Boehringer-Ingelheim Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sanofi/BMS Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Talecris Consulting fee Other; NMT Medical Grant/research funds Independent contractor; NIH Independent contractor; Sanofi Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Boehringer-Ingelheim Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Baxter Labs Consulting fee Consulting

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

James H Halsey, MD  Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama Medical Center

James H Halsey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association, American Society of Neuroimaging, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, New York Academy of Sciences, Pan American Medical Association, Sigma Xi, Society for Neuroscience, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert A Egan, MD  Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology, St Helena Hospital

Robert A Egan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Heart Association, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and Oregon Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Arun Chaudhary, MD; Jeffrey Appelbaum, DO; and Jennifer Ault, DO, DPT to the development and writing of this article.

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