With over fifteen percent of American adults suffering from chronic facial pain, a major question is what is temporomandibular disorder (TMD)? 

Several jaw muscles and two joints make it possible to open and close your mouth and they work to help you chew, speak and swallow.  The structures are the ligaments, muscles, jaw bone, mandible or lower jaw and two joints, the TMJ's.  The TM join is complex that works with the surrounding muscles and any complications in this system can cause painful TMD.  Symptoms can include pain or and around the ear, headaches, neck aches, tender jaw and clicking or popping noises when you open your mouth.

During a thorough examination with appropriate x-rays a dentist can help find the source of your pain.  Some TMD pain is not as easily diagnosed, depending on whether it is related to the muscles, jaw or TM joint.  Your dentist may take a mold of your mouth and refer you to another physician for further diagnosis and treatment.  Some treatments for TMD involve manipulation and other techniques which are non-invasive and in other cases, more aggressive treatment is required.

If you have pain in your face or jaw, make an appointment with your dentist today to determine the cause of the problem and whether you could be suffering with TMD.