27/07/2022
Temporomandibular disorder ( ) is a condition which presents as with or without, headaches, neck and/or ear pain.
Signs and symptoms include pain and decreased mobility of the (temporomandibular joint), crackling and grinding sensation while opening and closing the jaw, inability to fully open the mouth and pain while chewing.
Causes are often due to imbalances and stiffness/contractures of the muscles of mastication (chewing muscles) and/or the ligaments of the TMJ. These may be the result of macro trauma such as whiplash injuries or micro trauma such as continuous clenching and grinding the teeth.
Treatment involves restoring balance and normal function to the muscles and ligaments which control TMJ movement.