Histopathology associated with malposition of the human temporomandibular joint disc.

Scapino, R.P.: Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1983; 55:382-97.

ABSTRACT

Anterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint disc is associated with a general remodeling of the joint's soft tissues. The anterior part of the posterior attachment becomes fibrotic. The external shape and the internal architecture of the disc change in characteristic ways. The disc appears to overlie more of the lateral pterygoid muscle than is normal. The capsule connecting the anterior band of the disc to the condyle appears to be elongated.

Subjective reactions to intervention with artificial interferences in

YRSA LE BELL, PAIVI M. NIEMI, TAPIO JAMSA , MERVI KYLMALA & PENTTI ALANEN: Subjective reactions to intervention with artificial interferences in
subjects with and without a history of temporomandibular disorders. Institute of Dentistry, Department of Teacher Education, and Department of Statistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 2006; 64: 59-63.

Abstract:
In a previous double-blind randomized controlled study, subjects with a history of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) reacted to artificial interference with more signs of TMD than did subjects with no TMD history. In the present study, we analysed the subjective reactions of these individuals on several symptom scales. Every day during the 2-week follow-up period, the subjects rated the intensity of their symptoms on 9 VAS scales (occlusal discomfort, chewing difficulties, tender teeth, fatigue in the jaws, headache, facial pain, opening difficulty, bruxism, ear symptoms). Subjects with a history of TMD and true interferences reported stronger symptoms than subjects with no TMD history and placebo interferences.

The most prominent symptoms were occlusal discomfort and chewing difficulties. The difference in outcome between the groups with and without a TMD history suggests that there are individual differences in vulnerability to occlusal interferences. It is likely that the etiological role of occlusal interferences in TMD has not been correctly addressed in previous studies on artificial interferences.