A translation and validation of the French version of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire 2 (F-GTQ-2).

BACKGROUND: Limitation of mouth opening, widely known as trismus, is a major symptom altering quality of life in individuals presenting from temporomandibular joint disorder or head and neck cancer. A French-language instrument addressing jaw opening limitation following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire-2 (GTQ-2) into French. METHODS: A French translation of the GTQ-2 was performed according to established international guidelines, leading to the French-GTQ-2 (F-GTQ-2). The validation study included 154 participants with trismus (minimum interincisal opening of ≤35 mm) following treatment for TMD or HNC and 149 age-matched participants without trismus. All participants completed the F-GTQ-2 and participants with trismus completed additional health-related quality of life questionnaires to allow for analysis of convergent validity. RESULTS: The F-GTQ-2 demonstrated retained psychometric properties with Cronbach's alpha values above 0.70 for the domains, jaw-related problems, eating limitations, facial pain and somewhat lower for muscular tension (0.60). Mainly moderate correlations were found when comparing the F-GTQ-2 to other instruments, which was in line with the pre-specified hypotheses, indicating satisfactory convergent validity. Discriminant validity was found with statistically significant differences in all domains of the F-GTQ-2 between trismus and non-trismus participants. CONCLUSION: The F-GTQ-2 can be considered a reliable and valid instrument to assess jaw-related difficulties in individuals with trismus due to HNC or TMD.

Recurrence of exostosis as a result of medication-induced bruxism: case study.

Introduction: Alveolar oral exostosis is a common, benign condition routinely found in dentistry. Clinical problems associated with exostoses are the maintenance of oral hygiene as well as the fabrication of prosthodontic appliances. Over time, exostoses may contribute to irritation and periodontal disease. Case description: The patient in this case study had a recurrence of exostoses and was bothered by consistent and prominent pain. She reported being a bruxer; her bruxism was exacerbated due to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and antidepressant medications. Discussion: The etiology behind the recurrence of exostosis is discussed. The most evident etiology seems to be persistence of medication-induced bruxism, specifically awake bruxism. Conclusion: It is necessary to take a proper history to identify the cause of the recurrence of exostosis. Dental hygienists can contribute to a better understanding of and provide better treatment options for patients who have medication-induced bruxism.

Introduction: L'exostose buccale alvéolaire est une affection bénigne courante couramment observée en dentisterie. Les problèmes cliniques associés aux exostoses sont le maintien de l'hygiène buccale ainsi que la fabrication d'appareils prosthodontiques. Avec le temps, les exostoses peuvent causer de l'irritation et des maladies parodontales. Description de cas: Dans cette étude de cas, la patiente présente des exostoses récurrentes et est dérangée par une douleur constante et proéminente. Elle a déclaré souffrir de bruxisme exacerbé par la prise de médicaments antidépresseurs et contre le trouble déficitaire de l'attention avec hyperactivité. Discussion: L'étiologie derrière la récurrence de l'exostose est abordée. L'étiologie la plus évidente semble être la persistance du bruxisme induit par les médicaments, en particulier le bruxisme diurne. Conclusion: Il est nécessaire d'obtenir les antécédents médicaux appropriés pour identifier la cause de la récurrence de l'exostose. Les hygiénistes dentaires peuvent contribuer à une meilleure compréhension et offrir de meilleures options de traitement aux patients atteints de bruxisme induit par les médicaments.

Comorbid psychiatric conditions with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a tertiary referral clinic.

Patients with chronic pain have a higher prevalence of mood disorders with depression and anxiety contributing to higher pain intensity, emotional allodynia, and neuro-anatomical changes. We sought to quantify the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities (PCs) in a tertiary referral clinic for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Medical records of all patients attending clinics run by three tertiary temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgeons for the period January to April 2022 inclusive were audited for the prevalence of concomitant psychiatric conditions. A total of 166 patients were identified with a female to male ratio of 5:1 and mean (SD) age of 45.1 (15.2) years. A total of 124 (89.9%) patients were tertiary referrals and 72 (43.4%) patients had concomitant psychiatric diagnoses, with 58 (34.9%) being on some form of psychotropic medication (PM) (patients on anticonvulsants for neuropathic pain were not included). A majority of 136 (81.9%) patients had some form of intervention (including Dysport® and minimally invasive surgery) which appeared more common in patients with co-existing psychiatric issues (p < 0.05). A higher proportion of mental health issues exist among TMD patients in a tertiary referral clinic than would be expected in the general population. We suggest a holistic approach to patients with multidisciplinary care taking into account this prevalence to ensure decision-making that contextualises the patient and not simply the pathology.

Trismus in head and neck cancer: translation and validation of the Chinese version of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire-2 (C-GTQ-2).

OBJECTIVES: Trismus, marked by restricted mouth opening, significantly affects patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and head and neck cancer (HNC). Despite its prevalence, specialized questionnaires for trismus assessment are scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by translating and validating the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire version 2 (GTQ-2) into Chinese (C-GTQ-2), enhancing the evaluation of trismus in HNC and TMD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 78 HNC patients, 75 TMD patients, and a control group of 150 individuals without trismus symptoms. Participants were asked to complete the C-GTQ-2 and other health-related quality of life (HRQL) instruments. A subset of 30 individuals retook the questionnaire within two weeks to assess test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The C-GTQ-2 demonstrated remarkable reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values exceeding 0.70 in three of the four domains, indicating high internal consistency. The instrument also showcased high intra-class correlations in the test-retest, affirming its reliability. Furthermore, it exhibited strong convergent validity, aligning well with other HRQL instruments, and effectively discriminated between patients with and without trismus, establishing its discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: The C-GTQ-2 emerges as a valid and reliable tool for assessing trismus in HNC and TMD patients, promising to significantly enhance both clinical and research approaches to managing trismus-related complications in the Chinese-speaking demographic. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: C-GTQ-2 proves effective for trismus assessment in head and neck cancer and temporomandibular disorder patients, offering enhanced clinical and research utility.

Effects of physical activity levels on characteristic pain in temporomandibular dysfunctions: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is known to influence the symptoms of a variety of pain disorders including fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. In spite of the high prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), no previous study has objectively evaluated the relationship between TMD and general physical activity. This study aims to investigate the influence of physical activity on pain and disability from TMD, considering various confounders including sleep, systemic inflammation, psychosocial disturbances, and widespread pain. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study is based on consecutive samples of 100 TMD patients (22 with high pain disability and 78 with low pain disability level). Physical activity levels were assessed with actigraph. Level of pain and disability were evaluated using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Hematologic examinations including inflammatory biomarkers were assessed and comorbidities were investigated with validated questionnaires. Differences were analyzed according to disability level. RESULTS: Patients with high disability level spent significantly more time doing both moderate (p = 0.033) and vigorous (p = 0.039) level physical activity. Light physical activity, on the other hand, was associated with low disability but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Time spent in light physical activity was significantly associated with high levels of pain and disability (p = 0.026, ß = -0.001) and time spent in vigorous physical activity had significant predictive power (cutoff value 2.5 min per week, AUC 0.643, p = 0.041). Scores of the Jaw Function Limitation Score-20 (p = 0.001), present McGill Pain Score (p = 0.010), and number of people potentially diagnosed with fibromyalgia (p = 0.033) were significantly higher in the high disability group. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate or vigorous physical activity is associated with worse TMD symptoms while light physical activity may be beneficial. Further research related to the amount and frequency of physical activity is necessary to establish clinical guidelines for TMD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinical trial registration of the Clinical Research Information Service of Republic of Korea (number KCT0007107).

Association of anatomical features of the petrotympanic fissure and presence of foramen of Huschke with otalgia and tinnitus.

The petrotympanic fissure (PTF) and foramen of Huschke (FH) are anatomical structures in the temporal bone that can connect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the ear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the association between PTF morphology and otalgia and tinnitus, as well as the prevalence of the FH and otological symptoms, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images from 114 patients presenting with symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder were examined retrospectively. The PTF was classified into three subtypes (open, semi-open, closed) and the presence of the FH was identified. Symptoms of otalgia and tinnitus were obtained from the patient files. The FH was observed in 12.3% of patients examined, and in 12.0% of those with otalgia and 18.9% of those with tinnitus. There was no significant association between the PTF subtypes or the presence of the FH and otalgia or tinnitus (all P > 0.05). The PTF subtype and presence of the FH alone do not appear to contribute to otalgia or tinnitus in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal presenting as clicking tinnitus: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Herniation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) into the external auditory canal (EAC) due to a bony defect in the EAC is rare. Such bony defects can be secondary to inflammation, neoplasm, trauma. In rare instances, TMJ herniation can occur when the Huschke foramen is constantly exposed. TMJ herniation can induce clicking tinnitus, otalgia, conductive hearing loss, and otorrhea, but can also present with no symptoms. This study reports a case of TMJ herniation. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A male patient presented with clicking tinnitus that had developed 3 years ago. Dome-shaped soft tissue was found on the anterior EAC wall, which protruded and depressed with mouth movement. The patient underwent surgical reconstruction of the bony defect with titanium mesh, and the symptoms resolved after surgery. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of surgical reconstruction of a bony defect in the EAC using appropriate materials.

Challenges in Managing Post-Radiation TMJ Pseudoankylosis.

This study demonstrates the outcomes of post-radiation temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pseudoankylosis management and its challenges. A rare maxillary squamous cell carcinoma was treated with subtotal maxillary resection. Subsequent radiation therapy, failure of free flap reconstruction, and 1 year of jaw hypomobility instigated TMJ pseudoankylosis with a maximal mouth opening (MMO) of less than 5 mm. Bilateral coronoidectomy was done simultaneously with maxillary reconstruction, followed up with buccal fibrosis release and extensive jaw exercises. At 16 months of follow-up, the patient's MMO was 20 mm. Although bilateral coronoidectomy released the attachment of the atrophic temporalis muscle, it did not correct the other causes of trismus, specifically the progressive fibrosis of masticatory muscles, loss of elasticity of the TMJ ligaments, and other soft tissue abnormalities. Radiotherapy-induced-trismus refractory to physical exercise may require further management to achieve satisfactory MMO.

Clinical features of chronic primary pain in individuals presenting painful temporomandibular disorder and comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of chronic primary pain (CPP), according to the recently released International Classification of Disease (ICD-11) criteria, refers to conditions with complex aetiologies. CPP is characterized by specific clinical features such as generalized sensory hypersensitivity and widespread pain, and is associated with functional disability and emotional distress. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated clinical features of CPP in individuals with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and comorbidities (fibromyalgia, migraine and/or tension-type headache). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 129 individuals. Painful TMD, fibromyalgia and primary headaches were evaluated based on well-established international criteria. Generalized sensory hypersensitivity was assessed using psychophysical tests. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The Central Sensitization Inventory was applied to assess central sensitization-related symptoms and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index to evaluate the quality of sleep. The presence of widespread pain was assessed using a body map. The sample was stratified into three groups: control (n = 25), TMD-painful TMD only (n = 35) and TMD + Cm-painful TMD and comorbidities (n = 69). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, chi-squared test and ANCOVA, considering gender as a covariate (α = .05). RESULTS: Compared to controls, individuals presenting painful TMD and comorbidities showed lower pressure pain thresholds in all evaluated areas (p ≤ .012) and a higher number of painful areas in the body (p = .001). They presented more symptoms of anxiety (p = .040) and depression (p = .018), and a higher score in the Central Sensitization Inventory (p ≤ .006) than the other groups. CONCLUSION: Individuals with painful TMD and comorbidities presented more clinical features of CPP compared to those affected by TMD only.

Perforation of the temporomandibular joint disc: cadaveric anatomical study.

The aim of this human cadaveric study was to investigate the relationship between temporomandibular joint disc perforation and bony changes of the mandibular condyle. Overall, 135 cadaveric mandibles were used (69 male, 66 female; all White). Mean age at death was 78.7 years. Perforation of the disc was investigated. Differences in the area of the perforation according to the different types of bony change (erosion, flattening, osteophyte) were evaluated. Perforation of the disc was observed in 34.8% of all mandibles, occurring unilaterally in 53.2% of cases and bilaterally in 46.8%. The prevalence of perforation was 16.4% in cadavers <80 years old (67 heads) and 52.9% in those ≥80 years old (68 heads) (P < 0.001). Osteophyte formation was always identified along with other bony changes (21.7%) and never in isolation. The area of the perforation was significantly larger in the groups with bony changes (one, two, or three changes) than in the 'no bony change' group. The group with osteophyte formation showed a significantly larger perforated area than the group without osteophyte formation; likewise, the group with flattening showed a significantly larger perforated area than the group without flattening. Osteophytes and flattening are probably secondary bony changes that occur following disc perforation. Based on this study, disc perforation should be suspected when these findings are identified on imaging.

Imaging features of temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis with associated osseous degenerative changes.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare benign disease associated with the formation of multiple cartilaginous nodules in the synovial tissue of the TMJ. This can result in pain, swelling, clicking, limited mouth opening, and osseous degenerative joint changes. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to summarize the clinical features, radiographic findings, and surgical and histopathological findings of TMJ SC patients who underwent open surgery over a 24-year period. A radiographic scoring system was used to evaluate osseous changes and correlate condyle and joint fossa degeneration. The study included 38 patients and focused on 38 joints. All 38 of these joints showed degenerative changes in the condyle, while 37 showed osseous degenerative changes in the articular fossa. The degree of condylar degenerative changes was related to the duration of the chief complaints (r = 0.342, P = 0.036) and the histopathological stage of the TMJ SC (r = 0.440, P = 0.006), while the degree of joint fossa degenerative changes was associated with the radiographic extent of the SC (r = 0.504, P = 0.001), type of calcification (r = 0.365, P = 0.024), and the histopathological stage (r = 0.458, P = 0.004).

Referred otalgia: Common causes and evidence-based strategies for assessment and management.

OBJECTIVE: To provide family physicians and general otolaryngologists with a practical, evidence-based, and comprehensive approach to the management of patients presenting with suspected referred otalgia. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: The approach described is a review based on the authors' clinical practices along with research and clinical review articles published between 2000 and 2020. MEDLINE and PubMed were searched using the terms otalgia, referred otalgia, and secondary otalgia. Current guidelines for the management of referred otalgia were also reviewed. MAIN MESSAGE: Otalgia is defined as pain localized to the ear. It is one of the most common head and neck presentations in primary care, otolaryngology, and emergency medicine. Secondary otalgia arises from nonotologic pathology and represents nearly 50% of otalgia cases. Otalgia in the absence of other otologic symptoms is highly indicative of a secondary cause. A thorough assessment of patients presenting with referred otalgia requires an understanding of the possible causes of this condition, including dental and oral mucosal pathologies, temporomandibular joint disorders, cervical spine pathology, sinusitis, upper airway infection, and reflux, as well as head and neck malignancy. This paper aims to highlight the most common causes of referred otalgia, their presentations, and initial options for assessment and management. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of referred otalgia makes this an important condition for family physicians to be able to assess, manage, and triage based on patient presentation and examination. Understanding the common causes of referred otalgia will help reduce wait times for specialist assessment and allow ease and speed of access to management options for patients in community clinics.

Temporomandibular Disorders and Fibromyalgia Prevalence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic widespread pain (CWP) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in TMD patients and the prevalence of TMDs in patients with FMS. METHOD: A systematic search was performed in electronic databases. Studies published in English examining the prevalence of comorbid TMDs and CWP/FMS were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality, and meta-analyses using defined diagnostic criteria were conducted to generate pooled prevalence estimates. RESULTS: Nineteen studies of moderate to high quality met the selection criteria. Meta-analyses yielded a pooled prevalence rate (95% CI) for TMDs in FMS patients of 76.8% (69.5% to 83.3%). Myogenous TMDs were more prevalent in FMS patients (63.1%, 47.7% to 77.3%) than disc displacement disorders (24.2%, 19.4% to 39.5%), while a little over 40% of FMS patients had comorbid inflammatory degenerative TMDs (41.8%, 21.9% to 63.2%). Almost a third of individuals (32.7%, 4.5% to 71.0%) with TMDs had comorbid FMS, while estimates of comorbid CWP across studies ranged from 30% to 76%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite variable prevalence rates among the included studies, the present review suggests that TMDs and CWP/FMS frequently coexist, especially for individuals with painful myogenous TMDs. The clinical, pathophysiologic, and therapeutic aspects of this association are important for tailoring appropriate treatment strategies.

Does Emotional State Improve Following Temporomandibular Joint Total Joint Replacement?

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint total joint replacement (TMJTJR) offers patients the opportunity for improved function and reduced pain. TMJTJR also has the potential to affect a patient's emotions in a positive or negative manner. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in emotional state for subjects undergoing TMJTJR. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: The authors implemented a retrospective cohort study. Subjects who received TMJTJR were identified from the TMJ Inter Network, which is a study group comprising more than 130 temporomandibular joint surgeons. Subjects between the ages of 18 and 65 years with complete medical records and pre/post TMJTJR video/audio recordings were enrolled in the study. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The predictor variable was time (preoperative and postoperative). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: The primary outcome variable is change in the emotional state. All subjects had preoperative (T0) recorded interview as well as a postoperative (T1) interview at 3 to 6 months. The eight-category emotional state was classified as neutral, happy, sad, angry, fearful, disgusted, surprised, and bored. The three-category emotional state was classified as neutral, positive, and negative. The emotional state was measured using artificial intelligence at T0 and T1. The secondary outcome variable was pain score and maximal interincisal opening. COVARIATES: The covariates are gender, age, diagnosis, prosthetic side, TMJTJR design, and TMJTJR type. ANALYSES: The relationship between emotional state change and covariates was examined using both the χ2 test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The significance of the change in categorical data after surgery was examined using the McNemar-Bowker test. P values < .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-three subjects were included in the study. The mean age was 30.09 ± 8.69 with 15 males (45%) and 18 females (55%). The percentage of subjects with preoperative neutral, happy, sad, angry, and fearful emotional states was 24, 15, 24, 9, and 27%, respectively. The percentage of subjects with postoperative neutral, happy, sad, angry, and fearful emotional states was 21, 39, 21, 12, and 6%, respectively. The change in emotional state was statistically significant (P = .037). There was no statistically significant relationship between covariates and emotional state changes (P > .05). CONCLUSION: According to the assessment of artificial intelligence, TMJTJR improves the emotional state of patients.

Carboxytherapy for the elimination of pain symptoms (or arthralgia) among the elderly persons with the pathology of the temporomandibular joint.

Temporomandibular arthralgia is difficult to treat, painful and often relapses. 48 patients (19 men and 29 women) aged 61-72 years, suffering from the syndrome of pain dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, were under observation. In 1st (control) group of patients (18 people), NSAIDs indomethacin in tablet form of 25 mg 3 times a day were used for 9 days. In patients of the 2nd (main) group (30 people), the method of invasive carboxytherapy was used, consisting in subcutaneous injection of carbon dioxide with a volume of 3 ml of 5 procedures every other day. On the 3rd, 9th and 15th days of follow-up, invasive carboxytherapy was more effective than the use of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent by 8.9; 36,5 and 37%, respectively. The high efficiency of the method of invasive carboxytherapy for the elimination of pain symptoms in pain dysfunction was shown, which was 22,86% on day 3; 64,29% on day 9 and 68,16% on day 15 of observation. The method of invasive carboxytherapy can be used in the complex treatment of patients with pain dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint.

Increased Prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility Observed in Patients With Recurrent Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), determined by the Beighton score, is a fundamental part of diagnosing benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS), which may also present extra-articular manifestations, and is determined by the Brighton criteria. PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate whether there is an association between recurrent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation and these disorders. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND SAMPLE: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Hospital-based patients with a history of recurrent TMJ dislocation were compared to population-based patients that did not experience TMJ dislocations or any other TMJ disorders. Age and sex matching were performed between the study groups. All subjects reached the age of skeletal maturity. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: A history of recurrent TMJ dislocations. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: Measurements of Beighton score (range from 0 to 9 with a score of ≥ 4 indicating GJH) and correspondence to the Brighton criteria (with at least two "major" criteria or one "major" criterion plus two "minor" criteria or four "minor" criteria indicating BJHS). COVARIATES: Included age and sex. ANALYSES: Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables and the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 68 participants were included, of whom 34 patients presented with recurrent TMJ dislocations compared with a control population of 34. The Mean participants were 31.35 ± 8.06 years, and 29.4% (n = 20) were males. Of the dislocation group, 16 (47.0%) patients had a Beighton score of 4 or higher. The Beighton sum score was significantly higher, with a TMJ dislocation group mean score of 3.06 ± 2.8, compared with a control score of 0.82 ± 1.1 (P = .001). A total of 58.8% (n = 20) of the TMJ dislocation group participants met the Brighton criteria versus none (0.0%) of the control group (P = .001). CONCLUSION: We found an association between recurrent TMJ dislocation and GJH. An association with BJHS was also found, based mainly on articular manifestations. Early detection of these disorders in patients suffering from recurrent TMJ dislocation may help identify individuals at increased risk for joint instabilities and allow the implementation of appropriate preventive management strategies.

Systemic Factors in Temporomandibular Disorder Pain.

The science of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and its management has gone through significant changes during the last several decades. The authors strongly feel that the effect of systemic factors influencing TMD pain has been largely overlooked and poorly accounted for, even in established pain-management programs and protocols. The hope is that this article will act as a wake-up call for the pain management community to consider the importance of adequate knowledge of the systemic factors that affect the experience of TMD pain by the patient.

How dental teams can help patients with temporomandibular disorders receive general dental care: An International Delphi process.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) find it difficult to undergo dental care due to challenges caused by their condition, previous temporomandibular joint surgery or invasive dental procedures, and the impact of comorbid conditions. Managing routine dental care for some patients with TMD can be seen as challenging by some dental practitioners. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to work with patients experiencing TMD and clinicians to co-produce recommendations aimed at helping general dentists to provide routine dental care for patients with TMD. METHODS: A modified Delphi process was used to co-produce recommendations. Six patients experiencing TMD, patient advocates and seven clinicians took part, including international TMD clinicians. Two meetings were held with patient participants, mediated by a trained facilitator. Recommendations suggested by patient participants were distributed to clinicians who were asked to add additional suggestions, but not to modify patients' recommendations unless to aid clarity. Additional themes were identified from the existing literature, and the recommendations were then reviewed by the International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology (INfORM) consortium. RESULTS: Recommendations were given to support patients before, during and after dental treatment. Participants identified specific and practical recommendations to help patients with TMD receive routine dental care, but also emphasised the need for professionals to listen sensitively to patients' concerns and work with patients in an empathetic and non-judgmental way. CONCLUSION: These recommendations, co-developed with patients experiencing TMD, should help dental professionals to provide supportive general dental care for patients with TMD.