When talking with family and friends about jaw pain, you have probably heard the terms TMD and TMJ. The terms may have even been used interchangeably. As similar as the terms sound, it is not surprising that they are often confused. With a little bit of background about what the terms stand for, however, it is not hard to understand the difference.
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint where the jawbone connects to the right and left side of the skull. More specifically, the jawbone connects to the temporal bone, which is one of the bones that makes up the skull. The jawbone joint is complex — in addition to hinge movements, it supports motion from side to side, forward and backward. This wide range of motion requires that a disc on each end of the jawbone moves between two indentations, or cavities, in the temporal bone. A healthy TMJ moves smoothly from one position to another as a person breaths, speaks, chews and swallows.
TMD stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This includes any disease or disorder of the jaw joint. As with any complex joint, there are many possible problems that can negatively affect its function. Some causes may be short-term, but frequently the problem that is causing joint dysfunction will worsen over time if it is left untreated. Considering how important jaw function is to quality of life, it is wise to seek professional help early instead of waiting until the problem becomes unbearable.
Any disturbance in the joint, soft tissues or bone can cause TMD. Such disturbances can be chronic, such as muscles and ligaments failing to keep the jawbone aligned properly, or acute, such as trauma to the joint or jaw. Habitually clenching or grinding the teeth can lead to bruising or swelling in the joint, which also interferes with proper function.
Just as there are many possible causes of TMD, the signs and symptoms may differ depending on how severe the disease is and its cause. A few of the common indicators are the following:
In the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2017 publication “TMJ Disorders,” they estimate that more than 10 million people in the United States have TMD, making it a common disease. People who are inexperienced with the associated problems may be tempted to brush it off as a small thing, but jaw problems are not to be taken lightly. With as vital as the TMJ is for daily life and socialization, people who suffer with severe pain have a difficult time functioning.
Thankfully, there are treatments today that can lessen and even eliminate the pain and other symptoms of jaw joint disorders. One of the best ways to minimize the risk of severe problems in the future is to seek help early when the problem feels more like an annoyance than a disorder.
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