Thermal Evaluation of Myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders and Myofascial Trigger Points in the Masticatory Muscles

Abstract

It is known that the myofascial trigger points (MTP) and myogenous temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) cause regional sympathetic hyperactivity in local temperature due to the cutaneous vasomotor activity and, for detection of functional changes, thermography is used as a complementary diagnostic imaging method. This chapter intends to study two masticatory muscles, masseter and anterior temporalis, in measurement of the cutaneous temperature of volunteers with and without myogenous TMD and MTP. Results: The temperature levels measured at both muscles regions in myogenous TMD volunteers were significantly lower than those measured in controls. Infrared imaging indicated differences between referred and local pain in MTPs of 0.5ºC. Conclusions: Infrared imaging measurements seem to indicate that it can be used as an aid in complimentary diagnosing of TMDs and MTPs in masticatory muscles.