Craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) (synonyms: cranio-vertebral dysfunction (CVD); craniomandibular dysfunction; myoarthropathy; myofacial dysfunction; TMDs; TMJ; temporomandibular joint disease; temporomandibular disorders; ICD-10-GM M99.-: Biomechanical dysfunction, not elsewhere classified) is a term used to describe a variety of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joints, the masticatory system, and their associated tissues.
It is noticeable that people who are frequently exposed to stress or who are in crisis situations often develop parafunctions (tongue clenching, teeth clenching, teeth grinding), which can then lead to CMD. Women are often unbalanced due to the multiple stresses of work, family and household and compensate for this through functional disorders.
Craniomandibular dysfunction is divided into three groups according to the causes of the complaints:
- Primary dento-/occlusogenic causes – tooth-related/occlusion-related (any contact of the teeth of the upper jaw with those of the lower jaw) causes.
- Primary myogenic cause – muscle-related causes.
- Primary arthrogenic cause – joint-related causes.
Sex ratio: males to females is 1: 1.5-2.
Frequency peak: in infancy, the disease is rarely encountered. The frequency increases until puberty. The disease occurs predominantly in women of childbearing age (peak at 40 years). After menopause (climacteric; menopause), the frequency decreases. In old age, the disease is very rare. The prevalence (disease frequency) is 10-15 % of adults (in Germany). Only about 3 % are under treatment for these complaints.
Course and prognosis: The dysregulations can be very painful. In order to treat the complaints successfully, it is necessary to determine the cause(s). Through adequate therapy, which is often interdisciplinary, the disease can be completely cured. However, if the causes have not been eliminated, the disease may recur (return).
