Visit Video : Temporo-mandibular Joint.

TMJ is the joint that connects the lower and upper jaw. The term TMJ stands for Temporo-mandibular Joint. This is one of the most complex joints in the entire body, capable of forward and backward movement, rotations, and side-to-side movements. TMJ often refers to complications and problems with this joint.

Some of the most common symptoms of TMJ problems are:

• Pain in the jaw, especially at the area of the joint
• Limited movement of the lower jaw
• Ringing - Popping sound / Clicking sounds / sounds of cracking in the ears
• sense of fullness in the ears
• Muscle spasms
• Locking of the jaw
• Dislocation of the jaw (usually after widely yawning), referred to as lockjaw
• Ear pain
• Headache
• Tight, stiff, or sore jaw or neck muscles
• Facial pain, cheek pain, or chin numbness or tingling
• Shoulder pain

What is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves caused by injury to the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is the connection between the jawbones to the skull. The injured temporomandibular joint leads to pain with chewing, clicking, and popping of the jaw; swelling on the sides of the face; nerve inflammation; headaches; tooth grinding; Eustachian tube dysfunction; and sometimes

What causes TMJ syndrome?

• Misalignment (malocclusion) of or trauma to the teeth or jaw
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Poor posture,
• Stress or anxiety
• Arthritis or other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders
• Excessive gum chewing