The TMJ is a common cause of pain but is often overlooked by doctors when patients present with associated symptoms. TMJ (temperomandibular joint) is the joint just in front of the ear that connects the mandible to the skull. TMD (temperomandibular disorders) is a better descriptor for the condition and its associated symptoms. TMD symptoms include headaches, pain on opening, joint noises, pain when chewing, ear pain, dizziness, and abnormal wear of the teeth.
The most common cause for TMD is a muscular imbalance of the surrounding TMJ muscles. The American Journal of Orthodontics and Oral Surgery states that when treating TMD “treatment should consist of determining the primary muscles and confine attention to these”. When there is a problem with the surrounding muscles of the joint patients tend to limit mouth opening which can cause adhesions to form in the muscles and joint capsule. The Journal of BioMed Central Musculoskeletal Disorders states “methods should be used to minimize the duration of the mouth opening limitation and, accordingly, to minimize the severity of the adhesion and to obtain satisfactory therapeutic effect.”
Based on the current research this is how TMD should be treated: