TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a jaw problem that affects many people. Your temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of your skull. There are many muscles in this area that make this joint one of the strongest and most used in the human body. We use this joint to chew, talk, smile, and make many facial expressions.In some cases, this joint can become inflamed, painful, or stop working properly. This is called TMJ disorder, or TMJ for short. There are a variety of factors that can cause this. The disc that cushions the joint can become inflamed or worn out. The jaw may be misaligned, causing it to click or even lock up. Muscles may spasm or become strained.Regardless of the causes, the result is a great deal of pain when performing normal activities such as eating and talking. In extreme cases, people may be unable to use the joint at all. People also may suffer headaches, dental damage, and other painful effects from this disorder.
Understanding the cause of your temporomandibular joint disorder is important to getting the right treatment for it and preventing it from occurring once again.
