What Is Your TMJ?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is your jaw joint. It connects your lower jawbone to the base of your skull. You have one TMJ on each side of your face, located just in front of your ears. These joints and the surrounding muscles allow you to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak.
Most joints move in only one direction, but your TMJ moves your jaw up, down, forward, backward, and side to side. Your TMJ also doesn鈥檛 bear weight like other joints, such as your knee joint. The unique function of your TMJ increases the complexity of TMJ disorders and treatment.
Each TMJ includes these parts:
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Mandibular condyle鈥攖he rounded end of your lower jaw that fits into your joint socket
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Temporal bone socket鈥攖he part of your skull that holds the condyle in place
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Articular disc鈥攁 small, elastic cartilage disc that cushions your joint and allows smooth motion
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Ligaments and muscles鈥攃onnective tissues that let you control how you move your jaw
Damage or stress to any part of this system can lead to TMJ disorders.
What Are TMJ Disorders?
TMJ disorders (also called TMDs) are any condition that affects the parts of your TMJ joint. These disorders often cause pain, stiffness, or dysfunction in your jaw.
Specialists group TMJ disorders into three categories:
- Joint and disc disorders鈥攕tructural issues inside your joint or articular disc
- Muscle disorders鈥攑ain or tightness in your jaw muscles
- Headache disorders鈥攃hronic headaches related to jaw tension
Many patients experience a combination of these types. Research continues to explore the full range of causes and treatments.
Find a TMJ Specialist
TMJ Symptoms
TMJ disorders can create symptoms that affect your daily activities. You may experience the following symptoms:
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Jaw pain or tenderness
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Discomfort when chewing, speaking, or yawning
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Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw
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Headaches or migraines
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Ear pain or a sense of ear fullness
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Facial pain near your temples or cheeks
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Tooth sensitivity or unexplained toothaches
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Neck and shoulder tightness
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Eye pain or pressure
Clicking or popping without pain doesn鈥檛 always mean you have a TMJ disorder.
How Long Do TMJ Symptoms Last?
TMJ symptoms may resolve on their own, especially after temporary stress or a minor injury. But never ignore pain that gets worse or doesn鈥檛 get better. Contact a specialist for an evaluation if your symptoms last more than a few weeks or affect your quality of life.
TMJ & Headaches
TMJ disorders may contribute to tension headaches, migraines, or facial pain. Jaw misalignment, muscle overuse, or disc issues can irritate the nerves and tissues that trigger headaches. But you may be able to improve headache symptoms when you treat your TMJ issues.
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
While some TMJ disorders have no clear cause, several factors can increase your risk:
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Joint injury or trauma
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Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
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Teeth grinding or jaw clenching (bruxism)
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Nail biting or gum chewing
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Stress or anxiety
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Structural jaw issues or bite misalignment
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Hormonal differences, particularly in women
TMJ conditions may also appear alongside other health concerns, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), allergies, or fibromyalgia. Research continues to show that TMJ may relate to other systems in your body. You鈥檙e more likely to have TMJ if you have a correlating condition.
TMJ Problems in Men vs. Women
Women鈥攅specially during childbearing years鈥攔eport TMJ pain more often than men. Some researchers believe hormones may influence joint flexibility, pain response, or inflammation. TMJ disorders also show links with chronic pain conditions that affect women more than men, such as endometriosis and vulvodynia.
When to See a Specialist for TMJ Disorders
TMJ symptoms may not always require treatment. However, you should make an appointment if you experience these warning signs:
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Symptoms lasting more than a few weeks
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Pain that worsens or becomes severe
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Difficulty eating, speaking, or sleeping
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Jaw locking or limited movement
Try to notice patterns in your symptoms before you see your specialist. Ask yourself these questions:
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When do your symptoms appear? What time of day do they get worse?
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What activities trigger discomfort?
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Where does your pain or pressure occur?
Your answer to these questions can help your provider make an accurate diagnosis.
Who Treats TMJ Disorders?
First, talk to your dentist or primary care provider. They may refer you to a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care.
At 麻豆学生精品版, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat the full range of TMJ disorders. These providers receive advanced training in dental, medical, and surgical care of your face and jaw.
Why Choose 麻豆学生精品版?
麻豆学生精品版 offers the Mountain West鈥檚 most comprehensive TMJ care. Our specialists use the latest technology to identify the cause of your symptoms and develop personalized treatment plans.
We prioritize comfort, accuracy, and minimally invasive care whenever possible. If you feel anxious about dental work or surgery, we鈥檒l work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Referrals & Appointments
Please consult with your dentist or physician before you make an appointment with our oral and maxillofacial surgery team. You must have a referral before you can schedule. Call 801-213-6575 with questions.
