The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located just in front of the ear, where the jaw meets the skull. Problems within the TMJ may cause ear or jaw pain, ringing in the ears, clicking in the joint, or headache pain in the area where the hinges of the jaw meet the upper face.
Many patients with daily headaches have been misdiagnosed with TMJ problems and have undergone major surgical reconstruction of the joint without experiencing any relief of their pain. Most “TMJ headaches” are often muscle pain (called myofascial pain syndrome), migraine, or chronic daily headache.
The TMJ connects the mandible to the skull and is susceptible to many of the conditions that affect other joints in the body, including ankylosis, arthritis, trauma, dislocations, developmental anomalies, and neoplasia.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD, TMJ, or TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is a broad term for acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint. It can result in significant pain and impairment. Once accurately diagnosed, conservative treatment methods are often the most effective for long term pain relief.
Common Symptoms of TMD
Patients with TMJ disorders report a variety of symptoms, including:
Ear Pain
Jaw Pain
Cheek Pain
Jaw Popping
Jaw Dislocation
Noise in the Ears
TMJ Questions, Answered
The TMJ is located just in front of the ear, where the jaw meets the skull. It connects the mandible to the skull and is susceptible to many of the conditions that affect other joints in the body.
Patients report a variety of symptoms, including ear pain, jaw pain, cheek pain, jaw popping, jaw dislocation, noise in the ears, headaches, and limited functioning of the mouth.
No. Many patients with daily headaches have been misdiagnosed with TMJ problems. Most “TMJ headaches” are often muscle pain (called myofascial pain syndrome), migraine, or chronic daily headache, which is why accurate diagnosis matters.
Once accurately diagnosed, conservative treatment methods are often the most effective for long term pain relief. Schedule a free consultation for an evaluation before considering anything invasive.