Avoid routinely using irreversible surgical procedures such as braces, occlusal equilibration, and restorations as the first treatment of choice in the management of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Rationale and Comments

There is a lack of evidence that temporomandibular joint disorders (defined as musculoskeletal disorders, not the lesion of traumatic occlusion) are always progressive, and evidence exists that in many instances, patients with temporomandibular joint disorder have spontaneous remissions without treatment. Therefore, management is generally conservative and includes reversible strategies such as patient education, medications, physical therapy, and/or the use of occlusal appliances that do not alter the shape or position of the teeth or the alignment of the jaws.

Sponsoring Organizations

American Dental Association

Sources

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Disciplines

Neurologic
Orthopedic

References

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