TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD, TMJ or TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is an umbrella term covering acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment. Because the disorder transcends the boundaries between several health-care disciplines — in particular, dentistry, neurology, physical therapy, and psychology — there are a variety of different treatment approaches.
The temporomandibular joint is susceptible to many of the conditions that affect other joints in your body, including ankylosis (stiffness or fusion of a joint), arthritis, trauma, dislocations, developmental anomalies, and neoplasia (abnormal cell growth or cancer).
If you have one or more of the following conditions, you may need to be evaluated by a dentist who has special TMJ therapy training:
- TMJ pain (in front of the ear)
- TMJ noise (clicking and popping)
- Locked jaw
- Limited opening of the mouth
- Non-specific facial pain
- Pain behind the eyes
- Gum recession (loss of gum tissue)
- Clenching and grinding of the jaw
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Ear aches or congestion
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Postural problems
- Numbness of finger tips or arms
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Nervousness or insomnia
- Bell's Palsy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Meniere's Disease
