Psychological and psychosocial factors are universally accepted as prominent features among patients seeking treatment for amelioration of the pain associated with TMDs. Indeed, for a significant number of patients with chronic TMD pain, these pain-related emotional and behavioral factors may represent the major burden their condition imposes, putting an important stamp on (he clinical presentation. While definitive information is not yet available regarding whether such emotional and behavioral factors are causes or effects of TMD pain, it nevertheless widely accepted that comprehensive management of such patients requires attention to these issues. In practical terms, this means assessing levels of psychological and psychosocial disturbance to determine whether or not treatment decision-making should also include recommendations for incorporating psychological and behavioral management into comprehensive TMD treatment.