What is TMJ?
Likely, you’ve at least heard of the TMJ. Everyone has two of these joints and when they become painful and stiff it can be debilitating. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the jaw joint that connects the temple (skull) to the mandible (lower row of teeth). It allows the two rows of teeth to come together through a hinge at the side of the face. The function of the TMJ is chewing, talking, and any task that requires opening the mouth.
You may hear the acronym TMD interchangeably with TMJ. TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction. It represents a problem with pain and stiffness in the temporomandibular joint. Within the TMJ, there is the bony structure of the condyle and temporal bone with a cartilage disc in between, similar to any other joint in the body, like the knee. There are nerves intertwined within this region as well. When the bony structure or the disc does not function properly, it can irritate the nerves and cause sharp or dull pain.
TMJ treatment focuses on restoring mobility and reducing pain in the jaw and includes physical therapy. You may receive a diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction from your physician or your physical therapist. It is important to recognize the symptoms of TMJ as well as how to get help to solve this issue in your life.