Degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint

Summary 1. The temporomandibular joint is a ginglymo-diarthrodial joint whose anatomy and actions are still not completely known or understood. 2. Degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint is widespread in its occurrence, although it is often symptomless. 3. The etiology of this disease is complex. Microtrauma, overclosure of the mandible, mandibular muscle spasms, age, and possibly heredity all play their part. 4. Local and referred pain and clicking and snapping sounds are the outstanding symptoms. Loss of hearing, tinnitus aurium, vertigo, and neuralgias are accepted as connected with these joint disturbances, but only by some investigators. 5. Roentgenography of the temporomandibular joint has little to offer at this time, and it is of uncertain value in diagnosis. Cinefluorography with image intensification may be part of the answer, but this technique is too new to evaluate. 6. Treatment is aimed to remove the sources of trauma by correcting the occlusion and restoring the vertical dimension, where necessary, to its correct physiologic level. 7. The prognosis is good, and we can usually look forward to a good functional result.