Classification of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) with Examples (Text Alternative)

Diagram shows the three main classes of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) with examples of disorders within each class.

  1. Disorders of the joints. Examples include joint pain (arthralgia), disc disorders (disc is not in its normal position), and bone destruction (degenerative joint disease).
  2. Disorders of the muscles used for chewing (masticatory muscles). Examples include a) pain located in one area that gets worse with things such as applying pressure (myalgia) and b) pain that spreads beyond the point where it starts or pain felt in an area of the body far away from where it started (myofascial pain without/with referral).
  3. Headaches associated with a TMD. Example is any type of headache along with a painful TMD.

Note: A person may have one or more of these conditions at the same time.

Last Reviewed
January 2022