[Counseling and cognitive behavior therapy as a part of integrated treatment for TMJ dysfunction and chronic...

Dysfunction of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and chronic orofacial pain are not separate clinical entities, but keep close relations within them and interchange symptoms. Need of treatment for this picture is higher to requirement, since it is autoperpetuating, it does not cure by itself and grows worse progressively; trends to be chronic. There are risk factors such as cranio-facial skeletal structure, psychosomatic predisposition and emotional load. It is necessary to approach the treatment with a holistic criterium, based on an integral therapeutical diagnosis. Cognitive behavioral therapy and Counseling are very important therapeutical methods of emotional tension and must be part of managerial baggage of the expert professional in these problems.