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TMJ Disc Disorders and Osteoarthritis

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Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathologies are numerous. This richly illustrated chapter focuses on the appropriate imaging and diagnostic criteria of the most frequent TMJ diagnoses being articular disc disorders and osteoarthritis, both of which affect adults and, to a lesser degree, children and adolescents. These conditions are thoroughly described and some controversies are discussed. Diagnostic imaging is a complement to anamnestic history and clinical examination, and its goal is to contribute to correct diagnosis and treatment. However, the risk versus the benefit of imaging must be regarded for each patient individually, even when a TMJ pathology or disturbance is clinically diagnosed or suspected. The imaging should have an expected impact on the treatment decision. This is particularly important, regarding patients with facial pain and mandibular dysfunction. It is widely accepted that the majority of those patients have masticatory muscle pain and joint imaging is usually not needed for management.

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Correspondence to Tore A. Larheim .

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Larheim, T.A., Mork-Knutsen, B.B., Hol, C., Abrahamsson, AK., Ottersen, M.K., Arvidsson, L.Z. (2019). TMJ Disc Disorders and Osteoarthritis. In: Rozylo-Kalinowska, I., Orhan, K. (eds) Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99468-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99468-0_13

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