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The Temporomandibural joint(TMJ) is one of the most frequently used joint in the body as 1,500~2,000 times per day for the activities of chewing, swallowing, talking, yawing and sneezing. The TMJ are formed by condylar process of mandible and mandible fossa of temporal bone, separated by an articular disc. This articular disc divides into two cavities as upper cavity and lower cavity. The gliding movement occurs in the upper cavity of the joint, whereas hinge movement occurs in the lower cavity. The movements that are allowed at the TMJ are opening, closing, protrusion, retraction and lateral movement. A cause of TMJ dysfunction are capsulitis, internal derangement, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infection and inflammation near the joint, trauma on joint, ankylosis, subluxation or dislocation of joint, injury of articular disc, myositis, muscle contracture or spasm, myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome, dyskinesia of masticatory muscles, developmental abnormality, tumor, connective tissue disease, fibrosis, malocclusion, swallowing abnormality, wrong habits such as bite nail or hair, bruxism, psycological stress and Costen syndrome etc. Assessment of TMJ dysfunction consist of interview, observation, functional examination, palpation, reflex test, joint play test, electromyography and radiologic examination and behavioral and psycological assessment etc.
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