Temporomandibular joint disorders: causes and joint pain

Introduction: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the main stomatognathic system's joint, responsible for all lower jaw movements in different planes. TMS is functioning properly when the left-side and right-side joints work synchronously. Joint disorders are a common clinical problem. Around third of the patients complain of joint or jaw pain, joint jamming or crackle, pain in the neck, the head and the masseter muscle pain [5]. Aim: To discuss the causes of TMJ function disorders. Objectives: To describe the most common causes of TMJ dysfunction and clinical signs, as well as pay attention to TMJ hypo-diagnostics dysfunction among patients with chronic headaches. Methodology: Literature review conducted on the basis of articles published on the "PubMed" 1986 to 2016 database in English language. Keyword used in the search in the original language: "TMJ function disorders", "temporomandibular dysfunction", "mandibular dysfunction", "disorders causes" and "etiology". The search criteria corresponded to 42 publications, among them - 4 meta-analyzes. Additional information was used from updated medical sources. Results and conclusions: Causes for ATM disorders are linked to anatomical jaw ligament lesions. TMJ dysfunction is often undiagnosed to patients having chronic headache. The majority of these patients are treated from chronic sinusitis and they are prescribed with a repeated course of antibiotics or other unnecessary treatments