Etiology, evidence, and ethics: the problem of irreversible treatments of TMD

The current controversy as regards the etiology of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is further complicated by discussions about the connections between etiology and treatment, together with questions about the ethics of irreversible treatment modalities. However, most dental treatments are irreversible, even in cases with unclear etiology. Therefore, the ethics of treatment cannot be based on etiology alone, but call for an understanding of the possibilities available to help patients with health problems in ways that are physiologically correct and economically viable. Keywords: ethics, etiology, evidence, irreversible treatment