Disorders of Temporomandibular Joint – a Rheumatological and Physiatric Approach

Rheumatic disturbances are possibly one of the most common reasons for visiting the doctor and sometimes also the dental office. The most common articular disorders are: degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis (as a less or noninflammatory degenerative disease), rheumatoid arthritis (with inflammatory synovial joint reactions), metabolic rheumatic diseases, traumatic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Extra-articular rheumatism as a consequence of overstrained tissue surrounding the joint has been diagnosed more frequently – but it amounts to less than 1%. These percentages of the causes of rheumatic disturbances and/or temporomandibular joint diseases can be expected to potentially increase with age, thus multiplying physiatric treatments. Collaboration between dentists and physiatrists regarding physical therapy procedures (pulsating ultrasound heating, magnetic or laser therapy, complementary electroanalgesia, TENS or IFS, and finally, medical gymnastics) is becoming more common. Specially created exercises by Schlute give the best results in TMJ function recovery. In collaboration between dentists and the rheumatologic-physiatric polyclinic, 60 patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder by means of magnetic resonance imaging were treated. Health education along with a good collaboration of prosthodontists, physiatrists, rheumatologists and neurologists enables TMD patients to participate in the treatment of the most overloaded joints.