The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, or the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. The term “TMJ” is often used to refer to TMJ disorder, also called TMD, which occurs when the jaw joint becomes stressed, injured or misaligned. TMJ disorder may result from several different factors including, stress, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), arthritis in the TMJ, or trauma and injury to the head, neck or jaw.

You may suffer from TMD if you experience frequent jaw pain or facial pain. TMJ disorders may also cause:

• Grinding, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw when you open and close your mouth
• Inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn or chew
• A locked or stuck jaw
• Pain when chewing and biting
• Pain in the neck, shoulders or ears
• Frequent headaches