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Title: The Forgotten Tissue-The TM Joint Disk
Presented by: Jim McKee, DDS

Description:
The TM joint plays a vital role in the growth and development of the mandible and the maxilla, in the maintenance of normal pharyngeal airway volume, in facial esthetics through normal facial growth, and in occlusion through maintaining a stable and repeatable condylar position. Despite the importance of the disk, it is ignored in many cases because some clicking joints do not hurt. The medical and dental professions have defined joint problems through pain. While some jaw joint problems will hurt, the more typical presentation of structurally altered joints involves a change in occlusion. This program will review case studies with both MRI and CBCT imaging and explain how imaging will influence the prognosis discussion with every patient.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand normal and abnormal TM joints in MRI and CBCT images.
2. Recognize that most common clinical manifestations of malocclusion at the tooth level typically begin with a malocclusion at the joint level.
3. Learn how to explain treatment options so patients understand the pros and cons of each option based on the TM joint anatomy.