Resumen

GARCIA MARTINEZ, Indira; JIMENEZ QUINTANA, Zuilen; SOLANA, Lourdes de los Santos  y  SAEZ CARRIERA, Rolando. Updating on the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Rev Cubana Estomatol [online]. 2007, vol.44, n.3. ISSN 0034-7507.

A literature review was made to provide updated information on the different therapeutic alternatives at the disposal of dental professionals for the treatment of termporomandibular disorders aimed at relieving pain and re-establish the functioning of the joint. However, it is necessary to firstly make a good diagnosis and then detect the causative factors, emphasizing that stress is a key element to be taken into consideration. The existence of various therapeutical approaches for temporomandibular disorders is due to the multiple factors present in the etiology; the two most used alternatives are occlusal splints and selective carving. Physiotherapy is prefered over chemotherapy, as therapeutic coadjuvant for temporomandibular disorders, because likely occurence of adverse reaction decreases. The surgical treatment will be advised only in the event of failure of standard methods.

Palabras clave : temporomandibular disorders; treatment; therapeutic alternatives.