Some Conditions That Mimic Temporomandibular Disorders
Symptom | Condition |
|---|---|
Headaches | Giant cell (temporal) arteritis Tension and migraine headaches, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (eg, cluster headaches) Parafunctional behavior (eg, bruxism) causing muscle tension/pain in the temporalis and masseter regions Referred pain originating from neck disorders |
Pain | Postherpetic neuralgia Complex regional pain syndrome type I (formerly reflex sympathetic dystrophy) or traumatic neuroma after head or neck surgery Head and neck trauma Cardiac pain Salivary gland disorders |
Pain accompanied by hearing problems | Obstruction of the ear canals or eustachian tubes |
Pain in the head, neck, and other areas of the body | Generalized myofascial pain |
Pain, numbness | Metastatic tumors |
Pain that radiates to the temporomandibular joint region | Flexion/extension (whiplash) injuries affecting muscle or cervical spine |
Pain that worsens when the patient swallows or turns the head | Cervical spine or muscle disorders Eagle syndrome (calcified stylohyoid ligament or an elongated styloid process) |
Trismus | Depressed fracture of the zygomatic arch Infection Osteochondroma of the coronoid process Pericoronitis Tetanus |