2016 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 32-41
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are fundamentally physical disease. However, they are better understood when biopsychosocial model is applied. Thus, TMD can be considered as psychosomatic disorders, which is influenced by the psychological and social factors with varying degrees of severity.
Accordingly, it is necessary to assess patients in their physical aspect (Axis I) and psychosocial aspect (Axis Ⅱ) in making a diagnosis of TMD. If psychosocial factors (AxisⅡ) are dominant, which is peculiar to a subgroup of patients suffering from the chronic form of TMD pain, psychosomatic approach should be central to the treatment. In order to provide proper treatment, the assessment of TMD patients includes medical interviews, psychological tests and the distinction of patients based upon the MW classification criteria.
This is where cooperation with psychiatrists and other specialists as in consultation-liaison psychiatry is of crucial importance.
