Temporomandibular Joint (T.M.J) is a joint in the human jaw that acts as a hinge connecting the jaw to the skull. TMJ Disorders (T.M.J.D) is considered to involve pain in and around the jaw joint caused by spasming of facial muscles due to displaced TMJ.
Earlier, it was believed that this disorder was more prevalent in women than men. But, it has been found to be not so. Both men and women are equally affected.
Is age an influential factor? Studies have shown peak prevalence in the middle-aged population.
TMJ is not one disease, but a combination of many. It is classified into three disorders; namely, that of the muscle, disk and joint. And, at all three of these parts of the human body, degeneration occurs and progresses as the age of the person advances. If not diagnosed properly it is shown that 40-70 percent of the population over the age of 65 have TMJ degeneration.
However, in the majority of the cases, there are no obvious clinical symptoms and the disorder resolves all by itself. But, in at least 15 percent of the cases the disease worsens. It is now believed that as body ages, the functional demands of TMJ may exceed the repair and remodeling capability of the body, leading to degeneration.
Women above 50, during their menopause, are more likely to suffer TMJ degeneration than men, due to extremely varying hormone levels. Muscle disorders among the elderly and their unwillingness to seek TMJ degeneration treatment are also factors.
All this shows that while age, though influential, is just one of the many factors involved.
Reviewed By :Dr Rajesh Raveendranathan
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