Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) management poses a significant challenge in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and an established classification system. Furthermore, radiographic tools often fail to correlate reliably with clinical symptoms, complicating diagnosis. This diagnostic ambiguity has led to a broad range of treatment options, from conservative management to more aggressive approaches like total joint replacement, reflecting the impact of inconsistent diagnostic practices on treatment strategies.
This lecture will critically assess current diagnostic and radiographic techniques, with a special emphasis on arthroscopy as a key tool for bridging the gap between clinical evaluation and imaging findings. Arthroscopy’s role in enhancing both diagnosis and treatment will be highlighted, offering clinicians guidance in selecting optimal strategies to improve patient outcomes in TMD management.