TMJ disorders and orofacial pain: myofascial pain, arthralgia
Oral Medicine and Radiology · Dental (BDS)
Study notes
A stressed student has jaw clicking and morning muscle soreness but normal opening. What is the teaching approach? Likely myogenous TMD from clenching/bruxism - management is conservative: reassurance (most TMD is self-limiting), stress management, soft diet, physiotherapy, and possibly a stabilization splint - not irreversible occlusal treatment. Students learn TMD's golden rule: reversible before irreversible, conservative before surgical - because most cases improve without ever touching the bite.
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