TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS AND THE WAY OF THEIR OPTIMIZATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

The literature review aims to investigate temporomandibular joint disorders and modern approaches to their treatment. An extensive literature search was performed using Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases to identify the most relevant published articles. The year of publication was limited to over the past 5 years. The language was limited to English. More than 200 articles were found and analyzed. At first, abstracts were reviewed. After that 40 of the most relevant articles were selected and included. Systematical literature revision revealed that temporomandibular joint dysfunction is an essential public health issue worldwide due to its high prevalence and associated incapacity. Approximately one-third of the adult population worldwide suffers from at least one symptom of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The etiology of this disease is considered to be multifactorial. Main risk factors include postural and parafunctional habits, several types of traumas, psychological distress, and occlusal factors. Temporomandibular disorder encompasses several pathological conditions. Based on the currently available evidence, chronic pain is frequently observed and results in lower quality of life. Proper diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment planning and outcomes of temporomandibular joint disorders. multidisciplinary treatment for the complete remission of all symptoms should be focused on the pain experience, jaw, and psychosocial functioning of the patients.