• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.155-158
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars and development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Knowledge of the factors that have an adverse effect on the TMJ is necessary for proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of TMJ disorders. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 80 patients aged between 20 and 60 years with impacted mandibular third molars, over a period of two months. The patients were examined clinically and radiologically to determine the type of impaction and detect the associated TMJ symptoms or disorders. Results: In the 80 patients, 63.8% (51/80) of TMJ disorders were found in the horizontal group, 46.3% (37/80) in the mesioangular group, 42.5% (34/80) in the distoangular group, and 30.0% (24/80) in the vertical group of impacted mandibular third molars. Conclusion: The study concluded that type of impacted mandibular third molar is factor in the development of temporomandibular disorders.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.14-35
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• 2024

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most unique joints in the human body that orchestrates complex movements across different orthogonal planes and multiple axes of rotation. Comprising the articular eminence of the temporal bone and the condylar process of the mandible, the TMJ integrates five major ligaments, retrodiscal tissues, nerves, and blood and lymph systems to facilitate its function. Cooperation between the contralateral TMJ and masticatory muscles is essential for coordinated serial dynamic functions. During mouth opening, the TMJ exhibits a hinge movement, followed by gliding. The health of the masticatory system, which is intricately linked to chewing, energy intake, and communication, has become increasingly crucial with advancing age, exerting an impact on oral and systemic health and overall quality of life. For individuals to lead a healthy and pain-free life, a comprehensive understanding of the basic anatomy and functional aspects of the TMJ and masticatory muscles is imperative. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) encompass a spectrum of diseases and disorders associated with changes in the structure, function, or physiology of the TMJ and masticatory system. Functional and pathological alterations in the TMJ and masticatory muscles can be visualized using various imaging modalities, such as cone-beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scans. An exploration of potential pathophysiological mechanisms related to the TMJ anatomy contributes to a comprehensive understanding of TMD and informs targeted treatment strategies. Hence, this narrative review presents insights into the fundamental functional anatomy of the TMJ and pathological changes that evolve with TMD progression.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.56-60
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• 2018

Epidermoid cyst in bony wall of external auditory canal (EAC) is a very rare pathologic condition. In addition to its extreme rarity, its positional proximity to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) might lead to clinical misdiagnosis as TMJ disorders, especially when it is accompanied by temporomandibular disorders-like symptoms. In this article, we report a patient with epidermoid cyst in anterior bony wall of EAC, which was misdiagnosed as TMJ disorder because the left TMJ pain aggravated during mastication.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.74-83
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• 2013

In the management of temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorders, dental practioner should conduct the reversible, conservative, and inexpensive treatment modalities prior to the irreversible and invasive treatment. That is to say, behavioral, pharmacologic, and physical therapy should be conducted firstly, and then the occlusal appliance therapy could be considered. If patients do not react to these conservative treatments, we have to consider surgical treatments. If the accurate diagnosis is confirmed by intimate history taking, clinical and imaging examinations, we can rehabilitate the normal TMJ function and relieve the clinical symptoms with only conservative treatments in most TMJ disorder cases.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2003

Purpose : To determine the relationship between clinical symptoms and magnetic resoncance (MR) images in patients presenting with temoporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 172 joints in 86 patients presenting with TMJ disorders. Joint pain and sound during jaw opening and closing movements were recorded, and the possible relationship between disc positions and bony changes of the condylar head and the articular fossa in MR images in the oblique sagittal planes were examined. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test. Results : There was no statistically significant relationship between clinical symptoms and MR images in the patients with TMJ disorders. Conclusion: In the patient with TMJ disorders, joint pain and sound could not be specific clinical symptoms that are related with MR image findings, and asymptomatic joints did not necessarily imply that the joints are normal according to MR image findings.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.510-514
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• 2011

An intracapsular and pericapsular infection of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is rare. The invasion of bacteria into the joint space can occur through several routes. Among them, hematogenous spread is most common. This report describes three cases of abscess formation in the TMJ (intracapsular and pericapsular infection). The patients were treated with supportive care and surgical intervention (incision and drainage) under hospitalization, and their symptoms had improved. Pain of the TMJ is a typical symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). On the other hand, an infection of the TMJ can also cause pain on the affected side, and can be misdiagnosed as routine TMD. Therefore, the possibility of an infection of the TMJ cavity should be considered when treating TMD.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2023

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of musculoskeletal disorders that encompass symptoms caused by abnormalities of the craniofacial structures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles involved in the masticatory system, and other related tissues or structures. Although TMDs can occur at any age, research on the prevalence, epidemiology, and treatment strategies of TMDs has been conducted in all age groups, but primarily in adults. Unlike adults, children and adolescents are in a period of cognitive and physical development. Because of this growth potential, children respond better to TMD treatment than adults do. However, clinicians must remember that chronic pain and growth abnormalities can occur if the patient's symptoms and signs are not accurately diagnosed and treated. This article reviews the growth and development of the craniofacial region, including the TMJ, and discusses considerations when diagnosing and treating TMDs in children and adolescents.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 1995

Temporomandibular disorders typically present findings of limited or asymmetric patterns of jaw opening and joint sounds usually described as clicking, popping, grating, or crepitus. Recently, patients with temporomandibular disorders have received an increasingly aggressive treatment with a greater emphasis on surgical and dental reconstruction. Scientific studies have not clearly identified the specific causes of the temporomandibular disorders and therefore some of the treatments are empiric, without a firm scientific foundation. We carried out a study on the patients of pain clinic OPD and concluded that the causes of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) pain are the prolonged contraction of the muscles of mastication, especially the masseter muscle. Therefore, the spasmolytic treatment of masseter muscle would be a better treatment for TMJ syndrome rather than the surgical and dental reconstruction.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder follow-up and determine the factors that affect the TMJ bone scan hot spot numerical value (bone scan value), and to compare this value to the diagnosis of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), their treatment options, and the resolution of their symptoms. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 24 patients (four males, 20 females) who received TMD treatment in the Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (Seongnam, Korea) from 2007 to 2014. An analysis of the significance test and correlation between TMD diagnosis, treatment options, a baseline the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire, treatment before and after the clinical examination and subjective progress, and TMJ bone scan value change were completed by using SPSS version 12.0. Result: Although only 14 patients had bony factors that caused TMD, the average pre-treatment bone scan value of the all patients was $4.29{\pm}0.31$, which is higher than the finding for osteoarthritis (3.88), and reduced post-treatment bone scan value was found to be without a statistically significant difference (P=0.056). After the treatments, clinical symptoms in 18 patients disappeared, and six patients did not require additional treatment, although they still displayed subjective symptoms. It was observed that the higher the pre-treatment bone scan value, nonspecific physical symptoms, chronic pain index, characteristic pain intensity, disability score, were, the lower the post-treatment bone scan value was. And this reduced post-treatment bone scan value tendency was not shown with the pre-treatment depression index, but there was not a statistical difference. Conclusion: The post-treatment TMJ bone scan value tended to be insignificantly reduced in the 24 patients whose clinical symptoms were improved (P=0.056). Moreover, the TMJ bone scan value showed no relation to the TMD type or its related symptoms.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.409-413
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• 2022

This report presents a rare case where a displaced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc was reduced to its normal position after orthognathic surgery, and long-term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up visualized these postoperative changes. A 22-year-old male patient presented for facial asymmetry. He also complained of pain in the right TMJ area, and MRI showed disc displacements in both TMJs. After orthognathic surgery for facial asymmetry correction, the TMJ was re-evaluated. The symptom had resolved and the disc was positioned within the normal range during mouth opening. However, 6 and a half years after surgery, he complained of recurrent pain in the right joint, and MRI revealed medial disc displacement in the right TMJ. In conclusion, the influence of orthognathic surgery on the disc position might continue for a long time until the TMJ adapts to the new position. Careful and long-term follow-up is suggested to assess the TMJ complex.