American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

TMJ clicking is often a common finding and, in many cases, it may not necessarily indicate a need for immediate concern. In the context of orthodontic therapy, many patients exhibit clicking in their temporomandibular joints without experiencing pain or significant dysfunction, which can mean it's not a red flag that warrants withholding treatment.

Orthodontists typically focus on the functional status of the joint and the overall health of the patient rather than isolated clicking sounds. In cases where clicking is not accompanied by symptoms such as pain or limited jaw movement, it does not typically influence the decision to proceed with orthodontic treatment. Therefore, when evaluating the necessity of postponing or altering therapeutic plans based on the presence of TMJ clicking alone, it should not be considered a definitive warning sign.

Other options suggest varying conditions under which clicking might be problematic, but the presence of clicking alone, without pain or additional dysfunction, is not usually a decisive factor against beginning orthodontic procedures.