TMJ Diseases & Disorders - Scientific Research
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Scientific Research
Temporomandibular jaw joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs) describes the group of medical conditions involving the temporomandibular joint, the muscles used to move this joint, and the surrounding tissues. The TMJ is a complex joint, providing multiple types of movement for speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Like so many things in life, it's taken for granted when it's working well.
TMJDs should not be considered the sole province of dentists, oral surgeons, or ear, nose and throat specialists, but require the attention of experts in chronic pain, neuromuscular disorders, bone and joint disease, chronic immune and inflammatory diseases, endocrinology, genetics, bioengineering, and biomaterials.
If it sounds involved, it is--yet there's hope. Even though there is no body of knowledge on the etiology (causes) and pathogenesis (disease progression) of TMJDs, and consequently little in the way of evidence-based treatment guidelines, we're working to change that. The TMJ Association is moving toward improving basic and clinical science in the area of TMJDs.
To achieve these goals, The TMJA has sponsored five scientific meetings in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health with the purpose of building a solid scientific basis for TMJ research and to define future directions for research. The meetings were designed to attract experts from other fields with the goal of drawing interest toward this emerging field of research.