EPIDEMIOLOGY AND NATURAL PROGRESSION OF ARTICULAR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS

The reported prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) differs from study to study, probably because of methodologic errors and lack of standardized definitions of TMDs and their characteristics. Classif ication of TMDs should be in accordance with classification of synovia l joint disorders as generally used by rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons, in which articular disorders are distinguished from nonartic ular disorders. Articular temporomandibular disorders appear to be sel f-limiting in a very high percentage of cases, Because of this nonprog ressive nature, the outcome of nonsurgical management will be highly s uccessful.