What are temporomandibular diseases and disorders (often abbreviated as “TMJ”)?
“TMJ” refers to a collection of clinical problems involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the muscles used in chewing (called the muscles of mastication), or both. How common are temporomandibular diseases and disorders? According to a U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) survey, over 10 million people in the U.S. report TMJ symptoms at any given time. Women in the childbearing years slightly outnumber men in reporting symptoms. When it comes to seeking care, the proportion of women increases, and in the more severe cases, women patients far exceed men. What are the most common signs and symptoms? The symptoms of TMJ include pain in the cheek, near the ear, jaw locking (inability to open or close) and jaw sounds. Pain is either episodic or persistent. Symptoms can occur on one or both sides of the face and may include other body pain. Most people have relatively mild symptoms, but a sizable minority goes on to develop persistent pain and severe limitation in jaw motion. These
