The medical term, craniomandibular dysfunction (also known as CMD) is used to refer to pain in the jaw, pain in the joints or other facial areas as well as the cracking in the jaw. There is no precise definition available for this condition and the term CMD is used whenever there is a case of facial or dental discomfort. Medical practitioners, however, seem to have a functional definition of the term, in which, any deviation of the actual jaw joint or movement from an articulator is referred to as craniomandibular dysfunction. Irrespective of the fact, if the patient is experiencing any discomfort or not. An articulator is a dental device used to simulate the chewing movement of the jaws and it is erroneous to believe that any deviation of the actual jaw from this apparatus would be considered as an anomaly or dysfunction. In some cases, the patient does experience a cracking of the jaw. But unless and until this cracking of the jaw is accompanied by pain or discomfort or difficulty in opening of the jaw or any other movement, it should not be termed and treated as craniomandibular dysfunction or CMD. However, one should immediately visit a dentist, if there is a change in the jaw movement from one day to the next. To know more details about craniomandibular dysfunction or CMD and understand the symptoms better, please watch the video.

Produced: 04/2011