What is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) act as a hinges that connect your lower jawbone to your temporal bone. They are ball-in-socket joints that allow you to chew, talk, and yawn with ease. TMJ disorders are a group of dysfunctions that cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Dr. Brad Greenfield offers a variety of treatment options for TMJ disorders in our Lake Orion, MI dental office. There is no one cause of TMJ disorders. TMJ disorder can present with several symptoms. Grinding your teeth, dislocating your jaw, arthritis, and frequent jaw clenching are all causes of TMJ disorders. Sufferers of TMJ disorders deal with pain that can last from days to years. Some symptoms associated with TMJ disorders are tenderness of the jaw, pain in and around your ears, difficulty chewing, locking of the joints, jaw clicking or popping, headaches, and facial pain.