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DYSFUNCTION OF THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT IN THE GERIATRIC PATIENT
Author(s) -
Grieder Arthur,
Vinton Paul W.,
Cinotti William R.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1971.tb01556.x
Subject(s) - medicine , temporomandibular joint , head and neck , surgery , physical therapy , dentistry
A bstract Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint and the associated musculature of the head and neck may be caused by physiologic imbalance or by psychologic stress. In the geriatric patient this dysfunction can cause severe pain and discomfort. Detailed steps in the diagnosis are presented, with emphasis on differentiation from pathologic conditions. Treatment consists of removal of the traumatic forces (chiefly dental abnormalities) causing the physiologic imbalance. The basic form of treatment (after initial adjunctive therapy) is in the field of prosthodontia. When such a treatment program is properly carried out, relief from symptoms can be expected in about 85 per cent of the patients.