TMJ—temporomandibular joint—are the two joints on each side of our skull that provides movement to our lower jaw. This helps us speak, swallow, and chew. The TMJ is made up of muscle, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Interestingly, this joint mandible is basically floating in space, and the health of our TMJ is dependent on the supporting muscles and ligaments of the head and neck.
TMJ refers to the actual joint, but TMD is what we refer to as the disorder—temporomandibular disorder.
Dysfunction occurs when the supporting structures of the TMJ are injured or damaged.
It is very important to seek the help of Dr. Fellner if you experience any of the following:
- chronic pain in and around your jaw
- hear popping or clicking noises when you move your jaw
- headaches
- you clench or grind your teeth
- have decreased mobility of the mandible joint.
These could be indications that the TMJ has suffered damage.