The prevalence of TMD indicates a need to develop new tools that are useful in the case of screening examinations. These methods can support diagnosis at the early stage of the disorder. The purpose of this research was to develop a comprehensive tool that would function as both a database of sounds generated by TMJ and as software which facilitates automated diagnosis. The software would also use the data from the RDC/TMD questionnaire. Such a tool may significantly reduce the time spent by dentists on making manual RDC/TMD diagnoses. Moreover, this solution would enable dentists who do not specialise in TMD to make effective diagnoses. 95 patient took part in the clinical examination: 30 man and 65 females. The mean age of the participants was 33 years. Patients participating in the clinical process were examined according to the Polish version of the RDC/TMD questionnaire (Axis I and Axis II). Subsequently, all subjects were auscultated with an electronic stethoscope. An application has been im-plemented based on the RDC/TMD diagnostic flow chart. This tool was used for the automated generation of RDC/TMD diagnoses for all patients. As a result of the kind permission and participation of the patients under examination, it was possible to store records of ninety-five people. Each record contains RDC/TMD questionnaire data, auscultation signals and RDC/TMD diagnoses. For the first time, a database was created that has the potential to facilitate further examination. However, the developed system is universal and can therefore be adapted to new DC/TMD criteria.

Significant impact factor and psycho-emotional stress in the etiology of dysfunction indicate the need of the routine approach in the treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders to be changed. The aim of the study was to obtain data, documented test results as to the efficiency of progressive muscle relaxation in the treatment of pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders, as a supplement to previous methods using occlusal splint and other physical therapies. The study included 100 patients of both sexes, aged from 20 to 35 years who were diagnosed with pain due to temporomandibular joint disorders accompanied with high muscle tension of musticatory muscles which were treatment by relaxation therapy. All patients underwent physical examination, specialized functional examination of the masticatory system in accordance with the Polish version of the study RDC/TMD (The Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders, Axis I — physical assessment, Axis II — assessment of psychosocial status and pain — related disability) and assessment of psycho emotional factor and stress, based on the survey developed for their own purpose. The results of the research were obtained using specialized statistical package “R” i386 3.2.3. The results of examinations aft er relaxation therapy showed a signifi cant reduction in the intensity of myofascial pain in all patients. Progressive muscle relaxation can be successfully used as an supportive therapy treatment of patient with dysfunction.

This article characterizes the etiology of temporomandibular disorder with particular emphasis on emotional factors that have a major impact on the development of these dysfunctions and the most common their symptoms. They mainly affect people in the third and fourth decade of life and women predominate among this group of patients.
The article analyzes the current literature (Pub Med Database, Scopus and EMBASE) in relation to the conditions in the work environment, which often constitute important causes of emotional tensions, constant state of mental tension and susceptibility to the effects of stressors, which have an impact on the state of functioning of the musculoskeletal system of the masticatory system.
Despite the high frequency of temporomandibular disorders, unfortunately only a few studies describe the influence of harmful factors related to the work environment, and own experience (information from the patient’s interview) and data from the literature indicate a significant share of these factors in the devel-opment of temporomandibular disorder. The relationships and anatomical connections affecting the influence of stressors on the functioning of masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints are also discussed. In conclusion, it should be stated that the work environment and the emotional tensions generated in it constitute a serious sociological problem and increase the risk of developing and intensify the symptoms of TMD.

Pain in the masticatory muscles or temporomandibular joints may in some cases be a symptom of other afflictions occurring in this region. The aim of the study was to present the differential diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and other diseases in the craniofacial area, based on review of the literature. Using the key words: “differential diagnosis of TMD”, “pain of non-dental origin” and “chronic orofacial pain”, PUBMED and Scopus databases were systematically searched for articles in English from 2005 to 2020. Additionally, the PUBMED database was supplementarily reviewed using the keywords “Lyme disease orofacial symptoms” for the English-language articles published in the years 1996–2020. Out of 445 publications from PUBMED and Scopus databases as well as other sources, 57 articles describ-ing the pathogenesis and characteristic symptoms of diseases that may cause pain similar to that occurring in TMD as well as diagnostic methods used in differential diagnosis of TMD were selected for analysis. Dental and jawbones-related conditions, ear and maxillary sinus diseases, as well as ailments of neuro-pathic and vascular origin, were taken into account. Neoplastic processes taking place in this region and less often occurring diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites were also described. Conclusions. Correct diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders is based on medical history and thorough physical examination, as well as results of additional tests. Pain localized in the head and neck structures may have diverse, sometimes complex aetiology, and may require multidisciplinary treatment. Observation of the patient’s behaviour and — in selected cases — the results of additional laboratory tests, also play a sig-nificant role.

TMD is a disease within the masticatory system that increases its reach among the society every year in the third and fourth decade of life. The etiology of TMD is complex and it is often difficult to establish the cause in a specific case. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of TMD on pathomorphological changes within the temporomandibular joints, evaluated in USG examinations and evaluation the assessment of differences in the number of pathological changes between various forms of TMD.
Material and Methods: The study material included a group of 386 patients, both sexes, aged 20 to 46 years, who came for prosthetic treatment due to symptoms of TMD. Ultrasound examination of the temporomandibular joints supplemented the clinical diagnosis of TMD in all the subjects. Axis I of the DC/TMD were used.
Results: Group I included 116 women and 89 men, group II consisted of 102 women and 79 men. Pathological morphological changes in the temporomandibular joints were found in all the examined patients. The changes in soft tissue structures were significantly increased in group II, but numerous pathomorphological changes were also present in the group of patients with the muscle form of TMD.
Conclusion: The results of the conducted studies with the use of USG temporomandibular joints revealed numerous pathomorphological changes within the temporomandibular joints. This indicates the usefulness of the USG examination in additional diagnostic tests in the group of patients with TMD.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a disease of multifactorial etiology and a complex of symptoms, related to disorders of the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joints and the surround-ing orofacial structures. One of the main problems in the course of TMD disorders is the systematic increase in the tension of the masticatory muscles (masseter muscles, temporalis and medial and lateral pterygoid muscles), what is the cause of many damages and the development of pathological conditions in the stomatognathic system.
The article discusses the differences in the structure of the masticatory and skeletal muscles, as well as the different nature and isoforms of myosin, which determines the much faster generation of contraction in the masticatory muscles and consequently easier generation of excessive, harmful tensions in the masti-catory muscles.
The article describes the causes of increased tension in the masticatory muscles and methods of their relaxation used in the basic and supportive treatment of temporomandibular disorders. The use of occlusal splints, physiotherapeutic procedures and TMD treatment with botulinum toxin type A were character-ized. A role of psychological support and the methods used for patients with TMD were emphasized.