Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is the joint that acts as the connection between the mandible (the lower jaw) and the temporal bone of the skull. The TMJ is an extremely complex joint in which several muscles work together to coordinate and control the movement of the jaw in multiple directions. Patients with TMD often suffer from pain in the region of the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. They may also have pain and/or difficulty with:
• Opening their mouth wide
• Trying to close their mouth
• Chewing hard or crunchy foods
They may also experience:
• Popping or clicking sounds with jaw movements
• Headaches
• Ringing in the ear
