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Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJD)

The Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ) are two joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull and located in front of each ear. These joints, along with several muscles, allow the lower jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. When the mandible and the joints are properly aligned, smooth muscle actions, such as chewing, talking, yawning, and swallowing, can take place.

When these structures (muscles, ligaments, and bones) are not aligned, nor synchronized in movement, several problems may occur, known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJD).

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are the most common signs and symptoms of TMJD:

  • Jaw discomfort or soreness (often most prevalent in the morning or late afternoon)
  • Headaches
  • Pain spreading behind the eyes, in the face, shoulder, neck, and/or back
  • Earaches or ringing in the ears (not caused by an infection of the inner ear canal)
  • Clicking or popping or locking of the jaw
  • Restricted mouth motions
  • Clenching or grinding of the teeth
  • A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together

Our clinic provides treatment for TMJD such as physical therapy, mouth guards, injections and counseling.