TMJ vs. TMD

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) generally fall into 3 main categories:

1) Myofascial pain, the most common form of TMD, which is pain or discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles.
2) Internal derangement of the joint, meaning a dislocated jaw or displaced disc, or injury to the condyle.
3) Degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint.
A person can have one or more of these symptoms at the same time.

Symptoms of a TMJ Disorder include:

- Limited movement or locking of the jaw
- Radiating pain in the face, neck or shoulders
- Painful clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
- A sudden, major change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
- Headaches, earaches, dizziness, and hearing problems