ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS INVOLVED IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION: A REVIEW

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.159572521017

• Palavras-chave: TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION; TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT; ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS; TMJ; TMD; PAIN.

• Keywords: TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION; TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT; ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS; TMJ; TMD; PAIN.

• Abstract:

  There are several diseases that can affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), including cancer, trauma or fracture, congenital malformation, osteochondritis and anatomical factors. The aim of this study was to review the anatomical factors involved in temporomandibular dysfunction. A systematic review was carried out on PubMed on 17/06/2024 using the keywords "ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS", "TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT", "TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION". Studies with adult patients diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction were included 
  and documented anatomical variations, excluding irrelevant papers or those without full text. The data extracted (country, demographics and variations) was analyzed and presented in narrative text and tables.The present study showed some anatomical factors that lead to TMD, which included asymmetry of the mandibular condyle, orofacial sensory changes, variation in intra-articular space, alterations in the lateral pterygoid muscle and mandibular hypomobility associated with the coronoid process. TMD can develop into worrying conditions, generating not only pain and discomfort, but also directly affecting the patient's quality of life.