TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull. The joint can be found on both sides of your head in front of your ears. It allows your jaw to open and close, enabling you to speak and eat.

The symptoms of TMJ disorders depend on the severity and cause of your condition. The most common symptom of TMJD is pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles. Other symptoms typically associated with these disorders include:

• pain that can be felt in the face or nec
• stiffness in the muscles of the jaw
• limited movement of the jaw
• locking of the jaw
• clicking or popping sound from the joint

The overwhelming majority of patients do not need invasive surgery. Symptoms are common and often worsened at times of stress.
The majority of patients can be treated non-surgically with advice, reassurance, conservative techniques, bite appliances and occasionally Botox to the muscles around the joint.
If required, different types of TMJ surgery are possible, depending on your symptoms and their severity.