Do you suffer from pain in your face or jaw joint area, or even hear a popping or clicking sound when you chew and talk? Maybe you suffer from headaches or lockjaw? If you have any of these symptoms, you may suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) which are disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of the skull. The temporomandibular joint is responsible for the up, down and side to side movement of your lower jaw. The same movements that allow you to talk, chew and yawn. Symptoms can be disguised as multiple other problems such as sinus headaches, migraines, neck and shoulder stiffness or even ear aches. Heavy teeth clenching or “bruxism” typically stems from some form of joint disorder in the jaw.

Exact causes of TMD are often unknown, however, dentists believe that problems with the jaw muscles or joint can lead to the disorders. Jaw and joint injuries, as well as head and neck muscle injuries, can often play a role in developing temporomandibular joint dysfunction.