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Understanding TMJ

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint where the lower jaw joins the temporal bone of the skull in front of the ear on each side of the head. There is a small disc of cartilage that separates the bones so the lower jaw can easily slide. Chewing, talking, and swallowing moves the TMJ, and it is one of the most frequently used of all joints of the body.


	An MRI is used in diagnosing complications in the temporomandibular joint.

TMJ Syndrome (or TMJ Disorder)

When a patient experiences pain over the joint in front of the ear, possibly radiating elsewhere, it is often caused by TMJ Syndrome (or TMJ Disorder). When referring to such

American Association
of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons

ailments, the term TMJ covers a complex set of conditions that is manifested in several ways. TMJ Syndrome may cause sharp and searing pain triggered by yawning, talking, swallowing, or chewing, or it may cause a dull and constant ache.

It is estimated by the National Institutes of Health that at any given time there are almost 11 million people in the United States suffering from TMJ problems. Approximately 90 percent of patients seeking treatment for TMJ Syndrome are women, although both men and women are afflicted with the condition.

TMJ Syndrome Categories

The most common TMJ diseases and TMJ disorders fall into three main categories, and a patient suffering from TMJ may have one or more of these conditions:

Arthritis
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint;
Internal Derangement of the Joint
The cartilaginous disc that acts as a cushion between the skull and the jaw joint is out of alignment;
Myofascial Pain
Discomfort or pain in the facial, jaw, or neck muscles.

For a better understanding of TMJ, and how it might be affecting you, contact Dr. Fred Simonton for an evaluation appointment today.