The Temporomandibular Joint
Also known as the TMJ or simply the jaw joint, the temporomandibular joint is responsible for connecting the lower jaw bone (the mandible) to the skull. Therefore you have two TMJ joints, one in front of each ear, connecting that respective side of the jaw bone. These joints allow for the movement necessary to move the jaw up and down, forward and back, and side to side. As well as providing the ability to bite, chew, swallow, speak, and facial expressions.
Temporomandibular joint diseases and disorders, commonly called TMJ diseases, are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movements. Injuries and conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also affect the temporomandibular joint.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. While both men and women experience TMJ problems, the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years.
Not all causes are known. Some possible causes or contributing factors are injuries to the jaw area, various forms of Arthritis, dental procedures, genetics, hormones, low-level infections, auto-immune diseases, stretching of the jaw as occurs with inserting a breathing tube before surgery, and clenching or grinding of the teeth.
