Myofascial Pain Diagnosis — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateDental Anatomy & OcclusionMyofascial Pain DiagnosisNDEB AFK

When a patient presents with bilateral TMJ pain worsened by chewing and clenching, without clicking or locking, and with tenderness of the masticatory muscles on palpation, what is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: D — Myofascial pain (masticatory muscle disorder)

Bilateral TMJ/masticatory region pain worsened by function (chewing, clenching) with masticatory muscle tenderness and no mechanical symptoms (clicking, locking) is most consistent with myofascial pain disorder (the most common TMD subtype, affecting approximately 45-65% of TMD patients). It involves sustained muscle hyperactivity, trigger points, and referred pain. Treatment is conservative: patient education, self-care, occlusal splint therapy, physiotherapy, stress management, and analgesics.

Reference: Okeson – Management of Temporomandibular Disorders, 8th ed., 2019