Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
What is TMJ Pain?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint of the jaw, located directly in front of the ears. Like any other joint in the human body, it can become inflamed, resulting in significant discomfort in the ear, jaw, neck, head, or over the joint itself. It is often caused by chronic chewing, teeth grinding, changes in dental bite, a broken and/or repaired jaw, but sometimes can be caused by nothing at all. Other symptoms associated with TMJ disorders may include ear pain, temple headaches, pain that travels behind the jaw, down the side of the neck and sometimes across the middle of the face.
Treatment for TMJ Pain
Treatment usually involves dietary modifications and dental appliances. In more severe cases, interventions such as botox to the muscles involved in chewing are necessary to relax the strain on the joint. In the most severe cases, surgical intervention may be required through a specialized oral surgeon.
Our ENT providers perform a detailed evaluation to identify and treat most common TMJ disorders.
