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The jaw joints, or temporomandibular (TM) joints, connect the lower jawbone (mandible) to the
skull. These flexible joints are used more
than any other joint in the body. They allow
the jaw to open and close in a wide variety
of movements, for talking, chewing,
swallowing, and other functions. Many people
have dysfunction and pain in and around the
jaw joints
at some point during their lives.
Collectively termed “temporomandibular (TM)
disorders,” these joint and muscle problems
are complex and not completely understood.
As a result, proper diagnosis and treatment
of TM disorders are still evolving.
Symptoms of temporomandibular (TM) disorders are usually mild and temporary and typically do not get worse
with time. Common symptoms include:
Joint pain when the jaw is moving, as when opening the mouth widely, chewing, or yawning. Such
pain can develop:
- Usually on one side of the jaw, but can develop on both sides. Either gradually or suddenly,
as when biting down on something hard or following a blow to the jaw.
- Muscle pain or tenderness in the face, ear, head, neck, or shoulders. Headaches.
- In children with TM disorders, these are often related to grinding the teeth (bruxism).
- Clicking, popping, cracking, or grating that is painful and occurs when opening the jaw
(may be a sign of disc displacement). Clicking or popping noises without pain are common and do
not require treatment.
- The jaw locking in an open or closed position or not opening wide (disc displacement).
- If the jaw locks for more than a few moments, a muscle spasm usually follows.
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