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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
OverviewTMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a group of over 30 conditions that affect your jaw joint and surrounding muscles.What is TMJ dysfunction?TMJ dysfunctions are conditions affecting your jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. These conditions can cause several issues, including jaw pain, headaches and difficulty opening and closing your mouth.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyYou might hear people call these conditions TMJ. But “TMJ” refers to your actual jaw joint, while “TMD” stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Another name is temporomandibular joint disorder.You have two TMJs (temporomandibular joints) — one on each side of your face, just in front of your ears. Your TMJs connect your lower jawbone to your skull and help with movements like chewing and speaking.Between 5% and 12% of the general adult population have some form of TMJ disorder. The condition is twice as common in women. People between the ages of 20 and 40 are most likely to develop TMD.Types of TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)Healthcare providers classify TMDs into three categories:Disorders of your jaw joints.Disorders of your chewing muscles.Headaches that result from TMD.What are the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction?TMJ symptoms vary widely and may include:Jaw pain.Facial pain.Shoulder or neck pain.Stiffness in your jaw.Difficulty opening or closing your mouth.Jaw popping or clicking.Headaches.Migraines.Earaches.Toothache.Tinnitus (ringing in your ears).A change in the way your teeth fit together (malocclusion).What is the main cause of TMJ dysfunction?There’s no singular cause of TMD. Rather, it can be a result of many different factors or a combination of factors.TMJ causes may include:Jaw injury (like a broken or dislocated jaw).Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism).Arthritis in your jaw joint.Malocclusion (when your teeth don’t fit together exactly as they should).Stress.Things that make TMJ dysfunction worseYou
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