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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

PAIN CONDITION

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief

Does your jaw click, pop or feel stuck sometimes? If so, you may be dealing with TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition causes pain and impaired jaw joint function.[1]
It can make everyday facial movements like smiling, talking, chewing, and yawning uncomfortable. For some, TMJ symptoms are temporary, but if your symptoms have persisted or worsened, you might feel like there’s no solution for the pain. The good news is relief is available!

About TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect your lower jaw to your skull.[2] These complex joints, surrounding muscles and ligaments allow for smooth movements like chewing, talking, and yawning.[3] When the jaw and joints are misaligned or not working together correctly, it can lead to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).[3]

TMJ disorder or TMJ dysfunction, a type of TMD, is usually characterized by jaw pain, clicking or popping when you open your mouth and ringing in the ears.[3] TMJ disorders affect 5% to 12% of adults.[4] The condition is twice as common in women and most likely to develop in people aged 20 to 40.[4] While some people experience short-term discomfort, for others, the pain becomes chronic, often aggravated by habits like clenching, grinding, or chewing.

Despite the condition being called TMJ, the abbreviation refers to the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull, while TMD stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.[3] The key difference is that TMJ describes the joint itself, and TMD describes conditions involving inflammation, dysfunction, or misalignment of the temporomandibular joints.[4]

TMJ Disorder Symptoms

The most common symptom related to TMJ is pain in one or both temporomandibular joints.[5] Symptoms can be just one side of the face or both.

According to Healthline, these are the symptoms usually associated with TMJ:

  • Jaw pain or tenderness
  • Face or neck pain
  • Stiff jaw muscles
  • Limited jaw movement
  • Jaw locking
  • Clicking or popping sounds
  • Dental issues, such as the wearing down of teeth
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
  • Vertigo
  • Headaches
  • Shift in the jaw, changing your teeth alignment (malocclusion)
  • Ear pain [5]
  • Pain or difficulty chewing [5]
  • Eye pain [5]

TMJ Dysfunction Pain Causes

Sometimes, the cause of TMJ pain isn’t clear, but it’s often related to excessive strain on the jaw muscles and joints.[3]

TMJ pain can be caused by one or more factors, such as the following:

  • Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) [4]
  • Arthritis [3]
  • Fibromyalgia [3]
  • Jaw injury [5]
  • Malocclusion (misaligned teeth or bite) [5]
  • Stress [5]
  • Jaw joint disc issues or wear and tear [5]
  • Growth disorders [2]
  • Congenial jaw structure issues [2]
  • Myofascial pain [3]

TMJ Disorder Pain Management Treatments

Managing TMJ starts with understanding your symptoms and lifestyle. Avoid chewing non-food items, crunching on ice and using your teeth as tools. Conventional treatment can begin at home with jaw rest, applying warm or cold compresses and eating soft foods. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications like NSAIDs, acetaminophen, muscle relaxers and antidepressants may reduce symptoms.[6] Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles to reduce discomfort.

Mouthguards, oral splints or orthodontic adjustments may help with teeth grinding or misalignment.[7] Practicing good posture and stress reduction techniques like meditation may benefit TMJ sufferers.[4] Alternative therapies like acupuncture, biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also help.

For chronic TMJ or TMD pain, non-surgical and minimally invasive options include interventional pain management methods. Pain specialists can treat TMJ with the following:

  • Trigger point injections
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Hyaluronic acid injections
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections
  • Arthrocentesis

When to Consult a TMJ Pain Care Specialist

TMJ pain often resolves itself with self-care, stress reduction and a change of habits. If conservative treatment fails to relieve your jaw pain or it worsens and impacts your daily life, a pain specialist can help without invasive procedures or heavy pain medication.

Jaw pain and other TMJ disorder symptoms can be reduced with a comprehensive pain management plan. If jaw pain or tenderness begins suddenly, is unbearable, or you cannot open or close your mouth, seek immediate medical attention.

Resources:

  1. TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research – NIH [Internet[. Published March 2023. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmd

  2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders. Healthline [Internet]. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/tmj-disorders

  3. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). John Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Published 2022. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd

  4. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15066-temporomandibular-disorders-tmd-overview

  5. TMJ disorders – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Published December 28, 2018. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941

  6. Gauer RL, Semidey MJ. Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders. American Family Physician [Internet]. 2015;91(6):378-386. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0315/p378.html#treatment

  7. TMJ disorders – Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Published 2018. Accessed January 23, 2025. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350945

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