TMJ is an acronym for the TemporoMandibular Joint. It is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the rest of your face. When people have pain or other symptoms affecting the TMJ or the region surrounding the joint, they say they have “TMJ.” What they really mean is that they have TMJ symptoms, or a TMJ disorder. It is estimated that somewhere in the range of 5-12% of the United States population suffers from some sort of TMJ symptom.

TMJ symptoms vary widely, depending on the nature of the TMJ disorder. Patients may experience dull, achy pain in their head or jaw, or throbbing or radiating pain. The pain may be sharp and shooting. Patients may suffer from concomitant headaches. Patients may also experience clicking or popping noises, which may be painful or painless, or just annoying. They may also feel that their jaw becomes stuck, and they can’t move it open or closed.

Treatment of TMJ disorders is also dictated by the cause of the problem. Therefore, before any treatment is implemented, your doctor should make a diagnosis. TMJ disorders are broadly categorized into two categories: those that affect the muscles and soft tissues outside the joint, and those that affect the inside of the joint itself. The muscular disorders are limited to the muscles, and are experienced more as headaches, jaw aches, muscle spasm, feelings of tightness, facial pain, and the like. Jaw joint problems, or problems within the joint, include joint inflammation (TMJ arthritis), disc or meniscus displacement, jaw clicking or cracking, jaw locking, crepitus or “bone on bone,” and other similar symptoms. These two types of TMJ disorders are usually treated very differently, which is why it is important to start with a proper diagnosis before jumping into treatments.

If you have TMJ symptoms, we are happy to see you. The goal at the TMJ evaluation is to begin the detective work to find out what is causing your discomfort. Once we do, we explain what is going on, and explain management strategy. We partner with you and empower you to let your body heal.

There are many doctors out there calling themselves TMJ specialists. Many of them will recommend the same treatment to all patients complaining of TMJ symptoms. A good TMJ doctor is one who takes a thorough history of your symptoms, performs a good clinical exam, and obtains appropriate imaging, in order to make an accurate diagnosis of your actual problem. Only then, should treatment recommendations be made. Make sure your doctor explains your diagnosis in a way that you can understand, so that you can be an active member of your team and make informed decisions.

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TMJ Pain -TMJ Specialist Long Island

If you have TMJ symptoms, we are happy to see you. The goal at the TMJ evaluation is to begin the detective work to find out what is causing your discomfort. Once we do, we explain what is going on, and explain management strategy. We partner with you and empower you to let your body heal.