Temporomandibular Joint Disorders During HIV Infection: A Case Report

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a term reflecting chronic, painful, craniofacial conditions usually of unclear etiology with impaired jaw function. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients often report chronic pain and pathologies targeting body joints during retroviral therapy. Although both conditions may share similar secondary disorders, no conclusive cause-effect relationship has been found linking the TMD to the HIV-antiviral treatment. This report describes a case of TMD associated with HIV infection during active retroviral therapy. Clinicians should be aware that treatment of an HIV-infected patient with TMD requires an interdisciplinary team approach. Schlagwörter: human immunodeficiency virus, infection, pain, retroviral therapy, temporomandibular disorders, temporomandibular joint