TMD — Before Starting Treatment
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can cause jaw pain, discomfort or difficulty when opening and closing the mouth, and even chronic facial pain. Chronic facial pain can significantly interfere with daily life. Persistent pain may affect eating, speaking, and sleeping, while also increasing psychological stress.
According to Manfredini et al. (2025), a survey of 153 patients with TMD was conducted in Italy to better understand their real-world clinical experiences. The findings revealed that approximately half of the patients (49%) had consulted two or more specialists before finally receiving a diagnosis, while one-third had experienced pain for more than a year before receiving a formal diagnosis. Furthermore, one in five patients reported that they had never received appropriate treatment for their symptoms. The authors suggested that these problems may, in part, reflect a history of treatment approaches based on individual clinicians’ beliefs about the underlying causes of TMD.
The most important step toward resolving these problems is early and accurate diagnosis. This requires a thorough consultation with a specialist, allowing sufficient time for a detailed medical history, a careful clinical examination, and appropriate investigations, including radiographic imaging when indicated. These essential steps should be completed before initiating any treatment.
(Manfredini A, Saracutu OI, et al. Patient experiences with temporomandibular disorders: A survey on the pathways in diagnosis and treatment. J Oral Rehabil. 2025;52:1481-88.)
Comments