Diagnosis and treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome in temporomandibular dysfunction

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important structure of the facial skeleton and is an important source of pain when inflammatory processes are occurring in it. It is located inferior the skull base, above the neck and anterior to the ear. The principal components include: bone structures, ligaments, intrarticular content, and muscles. Because of the anatomic relations, the temporomandibular joint affections can produce a limitation of the masticatory function and express headache of dental, sinusal, nervous, or muscular type. For this reason, the patients require multiple medical and dental specialties in the search of a solution for the current illness. The myofascial pain refers to a chronic, inflammatory condition of the TMJ and the muscular system of the head and neck. It has an important demand in the health sector, can incapacitate significantly the quality of life of the patients, and requires an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this chapter is to guide the clinical practice in the etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the myofascial pain as a clinical presentation of the temporomandibular dysfunction.