Symptoms and Signs of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

Doctor's Notes on Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ syndrome) refers to injury or damage to the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. There are a number of conditions that can cause TMJ syndrome or pain in the area of the joint. Injury to the teeth, misaligned teeth, tooth grinding, gum chewing, and stress are all common causes. Arthritis conditions are another cause of TMJ syndrome.

Pain in the jaw joint is the major symptom of TMJ syndrome. Other associated signs and symptoms can include clicking of popping noises when moving the jaw joint, ear pain, headaches, locking of the jaw joint, or stiff or sore jaw muscles. While TMJ syndrome can be painful, it is usually not a sign of serious illness and can be effectively treated with home remedies or dental splints.