TMJ disorders

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Causes of secondary headache

Skull of an adult

TMD; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Temporomandibular muscle disorders

Symptoms associated with TMJ disorders may be:

• Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
• Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
• Dull, aching pain in the face
• Earache
• Headache
• Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
• Reduced ability to open or close the mouth

You may need to see more than one medical specialist for your TMJ pain and symptoms, such as your primary care provider, a dentist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, depending on your symptoms.

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A thorough examination may involve:

• A dental examination to show if you have poor bite alignment
• Feeling the joint and connecting muscles for tenderness
• Pressing around the head for areas that are sensitive or painful
• Sliding the teeth from side to side
• Watching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shut
• X-rays to show abnormalities

Sometimes, the results of the physical exam may appear normal.

Your doctor will also need to consider other conditions, such as infections, ear infections, neuralgias, or nerve-related problems and headaches, as the cause of your symptoms.

Review Date: 01/10/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by Jack D. Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Rosenberg's review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).