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Open research questions in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

662 gap statements mined from Temporomandibular Joint Disorders papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 4,736 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • The prevalence and anatomical features of the axiobasilaris muscle are not well understood. Prior studies have reported varying prevalence rates, with some finding no cases.

    A prevalence study of the axiobasilaris muscle · 2026 · DOI

  • There is no complete consensus regarding the ideal surgical design, particularly the need for pterygomaxillary separation (PMS). The effects of PMS on condylar changes after SARME are not well understood. There is a need for studies evaluating the association between PMS and condylar changes after SARME.

    Association between pterygomaxillary separation during surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion and three-dimensional morphological and morphometric changes of the mandibular condyle: a cone-beam computed tomography study · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of sutureless repositioning screws and suture anchors for treating anterior disc displacement without reduction. The study aims to fill this gap by comparing the 12-month bone remodeling outcomes following sutureless repositioning screw fixation and suture anchor fixation.

    Condylar Bone Remodeling After TMJ Disc Repositioning Using Sutureless Screws Versus Suture Anchors for Anterior Disc Displacement Without Reduction: A Prospective Cohort Study · 2026 · DOI

  • One challenge is the complexity of the mechanical demands on the TMJ, which can make it difficult to interpret the results of experimental studies. Another challenge is the need for longitudinal studies to examine the progressive changes in the TMJ over time, which can be time-consuming and require significant resources.

    Bilateral Temporomandibular Joint Changes Following Unilateral Posterior Occlusal Alteration in Rats: A Longitudinal MRI and Histomorphometric Study · 2026 · DOI

  • The analysis is limited by the nonrandomized nature of the mediator, which may introduce mediator-outcome confounding. The study requires prospective adaptive-design or decision-analytic studies to confirm the findings.

    Behavioral Modification as a Putative Mediator of Digital Therapeutic Response in Temporomandibular Disorders: Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial · 2026 · DOI

  • The underlying mechanisms of digital therapeutics in treating temporomandibular disorders remain poorly characterized. There is a need to investigate the behavioral mechanisms, responder profiles, and moderators of clinical response to DTx interventions for TMD. The study aims to address this gap by analyzing the behavioral and clinical mechanisms underlying treatment response.

    Behavioral Modification as a Putative Mediator of Digital Therapeutic Response in Temporomandibular Disorders: Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of the relationship between sleep parameters and heart rate variability in TMD patients. Prior studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the relationship between pain intensity and sleep quality in TMD patients. The study aims to address this gap by using a comprehensive assessment of sleep and heart rate variability.

    Interactions between sleep parameters and heart rate variability in temporomandibular disorders · 2026 · DOI

  • The study's limited sample size was primarily due to the stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Logistical constraints, such as patient availability and compliance with follow-up appointments, contributed to the reduced number of participants. The resources required for cephalometric procedures also limited the number of participants.

    Changes in the Position of Anatomical Points, Cranio-Cervical Posture, and Nasopharyngeal Airspace Dimensions in Complete Denture Wearers—A Cephalometric Pilot Study · 2025 · DOI

  • Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings. Research on the long-term effects of complete denture rehabilitation on anatomical landmarks, cranio-cervical posture, and respiratory dimensions is necessary. Studies on the impact of complete denture rehabilitation on different skeletal typologies are required.

    Changes in the Position of Anatomical Points, Cranio-Cervical Posture, and Nasopharyngeal Airspace Dimensions in Complete Denture Wearers—A Cephalometric Pilot Study · 2025 · DOI

  • The current classification systems have limitations. There is a need to investigate the relationship between skeletal class and symphysis morphology. The study seeks to fill the gap by assessing whether skeletal dimensional differences in symphysis morphology can be predictive of certain malocclusions.

    Symphyseal Morphology in Sagittal Skeletal Discrepancies: A Retrospective Observational Study · 2025 · DOI

  • The study was a qualitative clinical case study of a single patient. Ethical review and approval were waived for this study. The patient's general health condition and financial limitations were not further explored.

    Establishment of the Occlusion Plane Using Broadrick Occlusal Plane Analyzer for Immediate Complete Dentures · 2025 · DOI

  • Further research could explore the use of the Broadrick Occlusal Plane Analyzer in a larger patient population. The effectiveness of the Broadrick Occlusal Plane Analyzer in different skeletal relationships could be investigated.

    Establishment of the Occlusion Plane Using Broadrick Occlusal Plane Analyzer for Immediate Complete Dentures · 2025 · DOI

  • The interconnection between malocclusion and dysfunctional swallowing is still the subject of debate and extensive research. There is a need to investigate the correlation between atypical swallowing and malocclusion.

    Cross-Sectional Study of Atypical Swallowing and Occlusal Characteristics in 6–16-Year-Old Patients Presenting for Orthodontic Care · 2025 · DOI

  • Further studies incorporating objective autonomic markers and longitudinal data are warranted.

    Altered circadian patterns of diurnal blood pressure in clinical phenotypes of bruxism: A pilot study on autonomic imbalance in healthy young adults · 2026 · DOI

  • While its association with autonomic dysregulation has been proposed, the relationship between bruxism phenotypes and variations in circadian blood pressure (BP) in healthy individuals remains unclear.

    Altered circadian patterns of diurnal blood pressure in clinical phenotypes of bruxism: A pilot study on autonomic imbalance in healthy young adults · 2026 · DOI

  • Although the observed difference was small and remained within normal physiological limits, these findings suggest a possible relationship between sleep bruxism and oxygenation dynamics during sleep that warrants further investigation.

    Observational Assessment of the Effect of Sleep Bruxism on Oxyhaemoglobin Saturation:A Preliminary Study. · 2026 · DOI

  • However, their association with preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been fully examined.

    Temporomandibular Disorder–Related Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life among Japanese Adults · 2026 · DOI

  • These data will help assess whether a further controlled study of the MIH is warranted.

    The myogenic-intrusive hypothesis hypothesis: association between awake clenching and morphometric parameters of the temporomandibular joint. A prospective pilot study protocol · 2026 · DOI

  • Dealing with smaller subgroup sizes in stratified subgroup analyses, which were considered exploratory and interpreted with caution due to limited statistical power. Accounting for variations in physical activity and occupational activity among participants.

    Interdependence of dental parameters, mandibular mobility and static postural sway as well as load distribution in male subjects of advanced working age · 2026 · DOI

  • Chewing cycle kinematics has been scarcely studied in young children largely due to the reliance on costly laboratory-based systems.

    Chewing cycle kinematics in young children using a low-cost 3D camera system: A proof-of-concept study · 2026 · DOI

  • Non-significant mediation estimate, - Clinical biomarker findings do not establish the molecular mechanism, - Residual false-positive risk remains for nominal findings, - Secondary clinical outcomes were not adjusted for multiplicity, - Small sample…

    Effects of a home exercise program on symptoms and inflammatory markers in temporomandibular disorders · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigate the molecular mechanism linking α-hydroxyisocaproic acid, IL-22RA1, and TMD, - Further studies to confirm the associations involving α-hydroxyisocaproic acid and TMD risk, - Research on the effects of home exercise programs on TMD…

    Effects of a home exercise program on symptoms and inflammatory markers in temporomandibular disorders · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigate the relationship between TMD pain intensity and sleep disturbances in a larger population, - Examine the effects of depressive symptoms on pain intensity and sleep…

    Interactions between sleep parameters and heart rate variability in temporomandibular disorders · 2026 · DOI

  • Lack of age and gender matching between the groups, - The study was underpowered for group 1 muscle TMD…

    Temporomandibular Disorders in Professional Scuba Divers—A Cross-Sectional Study · 2025 · DOI

  • Further technological and procedural innovations are needed to reduce TMD risk in divers, - Investigation of custom-made mouthpieces to distribute forces more…

    Temporomandibular Disorders in Professional Scuba Divers—A Cross-Sectional Study · 2025 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Most recent work

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The prevalence and anatomical features of the axiobasilaris muscle are not well understood (“A prevalence study of the axiobasilaris muscle”, 2026); (2) There is no complete consensus regarding the ideal surgical design, particularly the need for pterygomaxillary separation (PMS) (“Association between pterygomaxillary separation during surgically assisted…”, 2026); (3) There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of sutureless repositioning screws and suture anchors for treating anterior disc displacement without reduction (“Condylar Bone Remodeling After TMJ Disc Repositioning Using Sutureless Screws…”, 2026); (4) There is a need to investigate the behavioral mechanisms, responder profiles, and moderators of clinical response to DTx interventions for TMD (“Behavioral Modification as a Putative Mediator of Digital Therapeutic Response…”, 2026); (5) There is a lack of understanding of the relationship between sleep parameters and heart rate variability in TMD patients (“Interactions between sleep parameters and heart rate variability in…”, 2026). 662 gap statements have been mined from Temporomandibular Joint Disorders papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 4,736 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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