Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD or TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is an
acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the
lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in
significant pain and impairment. Because the disorder transcends the boundaries
between several health-care disciplines—in particular, dentistry, neurology and
psychology—there is a variety of quite different treatment approaches..

Symptoms



These are the symptoms of TMJD, although not everyone who has TMJ may feel any
or all of the symptoms. These include, but are not limited to:

• Unable to open mouth all the way


• Pain when trying to close mouth or bite down


• Feeling as if lower jaw muscles are tensed too tight


• clicking when the jaws are opened


• clicking when attempting to chew

Factors



External factors that place undue strain on the TMJ.



Over-opening the jaws beyond their range for the individual or unusually
aggressive or repetitive sliding of the jaws sideways (laterally) or forward
(protrusive). These movements may also be due to wayward habits or a
malalignment of the jaws or dentition. This may be due to:

 

• Modification of the occlusal surfaces of the teeth though dentistry or
  accidental trauma


• Speech habits resulting in jaw thrusting.


• Excessive gum chewing or nail biting.


• Excessive jaw movements associated with exercise.


• Repetitive unconscious jaw movements associated with bruxing


• Size of foods eaten.


•  

Treatment

 Pain Relief

An approach to eliminating para-functional habits

Treatment is oriented to eliminating oral habits, physical therapy to the
masticatory muscles and alleviating bad posture of the head and neck. A flat
plane full coverage oral appliance, non-repositioning, often is helpful to
control bruxism and take stress off the temporomandibular joint. Mandibular
Repositioning Devices can be worn short term to help alleviate symptoms related
to painfull clicking when opening the mouth

Surgery  :

Exercise protocols, habit control, splinting, or more recently neuromuscular
dentistry should be the first line of approach, leaving oral surgery as a last
resort.