This module introduces the clinical relevance of TMJ disorders in everyday dentistry. It outlines the impact of joint instability on restorative outcomes, bite changes, and parafunction, emphasizing the need for functional awareness in all treatment planning.

Dentists gain a working understanding of key TMJ structures including the joint itself, the articular disc, associated ligaments, muscles of mastication, and surrounding neurovascular components; all explained in relation to joint function and dysfunction.

This module differentiates normal joint mechanics from dysfunctional patterns. Dentists learn to spot deviations, deflections, muscle overload, parafunction, and adaptive bite changes that often go unnoticed in traditional dental assessments.

This chapter explores how TMJ dysfunction doesn’t stay local; it creates a ripple effect across the entire body. We examine the links between jaw position, posture, cervical tension, and systemic effects like sleep disruption, migraines, and chronic pain.

Dentists often underestimate how common TMD is, and how much it affects a patient’s daily life. This chapter highlights data on prevalence, under-diagnosis, and the emotional and functional toll TMD takes on patients who go untreated or misunderstood.

This chapter introduces the core classifications of TMJ disorders using a clinically applicable lens. We simplify the categories: muscle-based, joint-based, inflammatory, structural, and combined, and show what these look like in real-world practice.

A practical, repeatable system for identifying dysfunction in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. This chapter details the full exam flow: history, observation, palpation, range of motion, joint sounds, and occlusion screening.

You don’t need expensive tech to identify TMD, but tools can help. This chapter reviews which tools are useful (and which aren’t), how to use CBCT and intraoral scans appropriately, and how to gather meaningful data without over-testing.

This chapter explores the critical relationship between occlusion and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stability. Participants will examine how occlusion can reveal, mask, or worsen underlying dysfunction, and how improper occlusal design, often unintentionally created by the dentist, can contribute to the onset or progression of TMD. We will discuss common causes of TMJ disorders, including iatrogenic factors, and highlight the clinical signs that indicate occlusal interference with joint and muscle balance. This chapter lays the foundation for more advanced diagnostic and treatment strategies introduced in Level 2.

This chapter focuses on conservative treatment strategies for managing early-stage temporomandibular disorders (TMD) once a clinical diagnosis has been made. Participants will learn how to select appropriate non-invasive interventions, including appliance therapy, and understand the indications, limitations, and risks associated with each. The emphasis is on avoiding over-treatment, recognizing when appliances are beneficial or potentially harmful, and applying a structured approach to conservative care that supports long-term stability and symptom relief. The chapter also addresses how dentists may inadvertently worsen symptoms through misapplied therapies or premature occlusal changes.

This final chapter focuses on seamlessly incorporating TMJ screening into everyday dental practice. Participants will learn how to use a structured screening tool to quickly identify red flags during routine exams and how to determine when a more comprehensive TMJ workup is indicated. The chapter provides guidance on integrating screening into team workflows, training staff to recognize and support early signs of dysfunction, and communicating with patients about the purpose and clinical value of both screening and full assessments. Emphasis is placed on efficiency, patient trust, and clinical decision-making that supports responsible care.