The National Institutes of Health is increasing funding for research on TMJ disorders, which affect millions of Americans, mostly women. Despite its prevalence, TMJ remains under-researched and ineffective treatments are common. The NIH recently doubled annual funding for TMJ research and funded a new collaborative effort in 2023. The lack of proven treatments for TMJ has led to patients being harmed by overly aggressive care. The disorders predominantly affect women, leading to historical biases and a lack of progress in research. The NIH warns against treatments that permanently change teeth, bite, or jaw, including surgery.
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