TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) and TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder)
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex and frequently used joints in the body. Every time you talk, chew, or swallow, these joints on each side of your head allow the lower jaw to move. These essential manoeuvres can be very uncomfortable, even painful, when TMJ trouble occurs (called temporomandibular disorder, TMJ disorder, or TMD) and intervention by our Calgary clinic is often required to help restore natural movement.
You can feel your TMJ by placing your finger on the boney structure in front of your ear. Press firmly as you open and close your mouth. The moving parts you feel are the TMJ.
The TMJ is where the temporal bone of the skull connects with the mandible (lower jaw bone), and these two bones are cushioned by a thin cartilage disc. Whenever you have clicking or other sounds in the TMJ there is either a problem with the structure or function of this disc.
A healthy bite is about more than just teeth and it is essential to good overall health. A good bite (when teeth meet evenly and do not wear upon each other) requires that the ball of the jaw joint be properly positioned in the socket at the side of the skull to allow the chewing muscles to work efficiently. If the teeth or the TMJ are not aligned properly, the muscles have to work harder to adapt to inefficient function. This may cause:
- headaches
- earaches
- difficulty opening the mouth
- jaw pain or soreness
- movement of the teeth
- tooth wear
- pain or problems when chewing
- sounds in the joints
