Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorder or dysfunction (TMD) is a collective term for disorders that affect the
- temporomandibular joints,
- jaw muscles and
- the surrounding tissues.
These joints connect the lower jaw to the skull and enable essential movements when chewing, speaking and swallowing.
- TMD manifests itself through pain
- in the jaw area, the facial muscles or
- around the temporomandibular joints.
Restricted mobility or acoustic phenomena such as cracking, grinding and other noises when moving the jaw can also be symptoms. The causes of TMD are varied and can include trauma, overuse of the jaw muscles, arthritis or stress.
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) refer to the same condition and are synonymous terms.