Occlusal Appliance-When and Where? Management of Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome

TMJ pain is a commonly occurring situation but not so commonly and effectively treated. A detailed and thorough knowledge of the joint diseases is a prime requisite for efficient management of the condition. It has been not yet found for TMD the main etiology. The treatment customary in such disorders are by splint given occlusally, cognitive behavioral treatment, hypnosis, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and surgery when all the other conservative type of treatment are not successful. Purpose of this article is to present a view of Temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome providing prosthodontic management of a confusing clinical problem with a simple and comprehensible approach to the diagnosis. A proper appliance selection is a need, that aimed to eliminate etiologic factors by enlightening on specific indication and use of various occlusal appliances for joint pain dysfunction syndrome cases management i.e. when and where to use it. Occlusal appliance, proved in many studies with a successful rate of 70–90% for patients with TMD this is the efficient type and commonest treatment. Occlusal appliance, being a non-penetrating and reversible appliance is an important benefit. Apart from this, dentist must check for problem if any in the muscles and that in the joints and should think of treatment available to be considered seriously, as a treatment means before the appliances to be used is decided.