Name a predisposing factor for TMD.

• A. Malocclusion
• B. Poor sleep
• C. Meniscal displacement
• D. Joint hypermobility

Answer: (A)

Malocclusion can set the stage for TMD by changing how your teeth meet and how the forces from biting and chewing are transmitted through the jaw joint and muscles. When the bite isn’t well aligned, the TMJ and associated muscles may experience uneven or excessive loading over time, which can lead to pain, muscle tension, and movement difficulties characteristic of TMD. That’s why malocclusion is considered a predisposing factor.

The other options aren’t as well aligned with this specific concept. Poor sleep can contribute to tension and bruxism that worsen TMD, but it’s more of an aggravating factor than a primary predisposing condition. Meniscal displacement is a structural problem within the joint itself, not a predisposing condition. Joint hypermobility can be related to TMJ instability in some contexts, but malocclusion is the classic predisposing factor emphasized in most clinical discussions.