Which symptoms suggest disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) rather than myofascial pain?

• A. Constant joint pain
• B. Intermittent joint noises during jaw movements and occasional catching; normal MMO
• C. Pain with percussion of a tooth
• D. No jaw noises ever

Answer: (B)

Intermittent joint noises during jaw movement with occasional catching and a normal maximum mouth opening point to disc displacement with reduction. The disc is displaced when the jaw moves, then reduces back into place as the mouth opens, producing a click or pop. This pattern reflects a dynamic joint issue rather than a primary muscle problem. In contrast, myofascial pain presents mainly with muscle-related symptoms—tenderness to palpation, aching or referred pain from muscle trigger points—and typically lacks the distinct joint noises seen with disc displacement. So the presence of audible joint sounds that occur with movement, along with a normal MMO, best fits DDwR. The other options describe signs more typical of dental-origin pain, constant joint pain, or absence of joint noises, which are not characteristic of DDwR.