What is the Definition of Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder?
Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder occurs when the muscles used in chewing and the joints of the jaw fail to work in combination with each other. TMJ disorder may have any number of causes, among them such habits as clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism), malocclusion (poor bite) that puts muscles under stress, accidents that damage the bones of the face or jaw and occasionally, disease such as arthritis. top ^ Description of Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder The dental literature reports that TMJ disorders are frequently undiagnosed by physicians. These disorders are responsible for many signs and symptoms related to pain and discomfort in the head and neck. TMJ is often associated with complaints of chronic muscular headaches or craniofacial pain. Many of these disorders produce symptoms that mimic more serious medical problems such as intracranial aneurysms, migraine or neoplasms of the head and neck. These diagnoses should be considered before beginning treatment for pr
