American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

The prevalence of disk displacement in symptomatic patients is widely reported to be around 80%. This statistic emphasizes that a significant proportion of individuals experiencing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders show signs of disk displacement, a common anatomical alteration in these cases. Disk displacement can lead to various symptoms such as pain, limited jaw mobility, and clicking noises during jaw function. Understanding this prevalence is crucial for clinicians in diagnosing TMJ disorders and tailoring appropriate treatment plans, as it helps highlight the importance of considering disk positioning in patients who present with related symptoms.

The other options while close, do not accurately reflect the most commonly cited figure in the literature, reinforcing the idea that an 80% prevalence is a well-established statistic in the context of symptomatic patients. This knowledge aids in forming a thorough understanding of the relationship between disk displacement and TMJ symptoms, which is essential for anyone studying orthodontics or related fields.