TMJ disorders

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Causes of secondary headache

Skull of an adult

TMD; Temporomandibular joint disorders

• Headache
• Earache (the joint is located right in front of the ears and can easily be interpreted as ear pain; in addition, pain may be referred to the ear from nearby muscles)
• Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
• Dull, aching facial pain
• Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
• Clicking sound while chewing or opening the mouth
• Grating sensation while chewing
• Reduced ability to open or close the mouth

TMJ pain and symptoms may require evaluation by more than one medical specialty, such as your primary care provider, a dentist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, depending on your symptoms. Some dentists specialize in TMJ diagnosis and treatment.

A thorough examination may involve:

• Feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness
• Watching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shut
• Sliding the teeth from side to side
• Pressing around the head for areas that are sensitive or painful
• X-rays which may show abnormalities, but can be difficult to read
• An MRI of the jaw area may occasionally be performed
• A dental examination may show mis-alignment of the bite (crossbite, malocclusion)

In some cases, the results of the physical examination may appear normal.

Review Date: 05/16/2006
Reviewed By: Johanna Jacobs, D.D.S., General and Cosmetic Dentistry, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.