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Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome

by Alvin K. Benson, PhD

Category: Disease/Disorder

Anatomy or system affected: Bones, head, joints, mouth, muscles, teeth

Specialties and related fields: Dentistry, family medicine, psychology

Definition: A disorder that produces pain and stiffness in the joint between the lower jawbone (mandible) and the temporal bone of the skull.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

The exact cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, or myofacial pain-dysfunction syndrome, is not known. Possible causes include arthritis, bad bite (malocclusion), grinding or clenching of the teeth (bruxism), muscle tension, and psychological stress. X-rays and laboratory tests carried out on people with this disorder usually reveal no abnormalities. Another potential cause of pain and stiffness in the temporo- mandibular joints at either side of the jaw is rheumatoid arthritis. With rheumatoid arthritis, however, the symptoms are most severe the first thing in the morning, which is not typically the case with TMJ syndrome.

TMJ syndrome affects the temporomandibular joints, producing mild to severe spasms and pain in the jaw muscles that sometimes make it difficult to open the jaw fully. Other symptoms can include blurred vision, clicking or popping of the jaw, and pain that extends into the head, neck, ears, and even as far as the shoulders.

Information on Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome

Causes: Unclear; possibly arthritis, malocclusion, grinding or clenching of teeth, muscle tension, psychological stress

Symptoms: Joint pain and stiffness, mild to severe spasms, blurred vision, sinus problems

Duration: Chronic

Treatments: Heat therapy, injections or sprays of local anesthetics, analgesics, jaw exercises, dental procedures, surgery

TREATMENT AND THERAPY

If spasmodic pain exists in the jaw muscles, a physician should be consulted. Treatment to provide relief varies according to the underlying cause but typically includes local heat therapy, injections or sprays of local anesthetics, and simple analgesics, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Prescribed jaw exercises and relaxation techniques are also often helpful. Some cases may require dental procedures to improve jaw alignment or retainers to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem.

PERSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTS

TMJ syndrome is fairly common; most people who have spasmodic pain in the jaw muscles have this condition. It is estimated that between 5 and 12 percent of the world’s population suffers from some form of TMJ syndrome, ranging from mild to very severe. The majority of cases, however, go untreated.

See also Arthritis; Dental diseases; Head and neck disorders; Joints; Muscle sprains, spasms, and disorders; Muscles; Orthopedic surgery; Orthopedics; Orthopedics, pediatric; Pain management; Rheumatoid arthritis; Stress; Stress reduction.

For Further Information:

1 

Bumann, Axel, and Ulrich Lotzmann. TMJ Disorders and Orofacial Pain: The Role of Dentistry in a Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Approach. Translated by Richard Jacobi. New York: Thieme, 2002.

2 

Gremillion, Henry A., ed. Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2007.

3 

Hollenstein, Jenna. “Temporomandibular Disorder.” Health Library, September 30, 2012.

4 

“Less Is Often Best in Treating TMJ Disorders.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, March 25, 2011.

5 

Mitchell, David A. An Introduction to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

6 

Okeson, Jeffrey P. Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier, 2012.

7 

Sarnat, Bernard G., and Daniel M. Laskin, eds. The Temporomandibular Joint: A Biological Basis for Clinical Practice. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1992.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Benson, Alvin K. "Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome." Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition, edited by Anubhav Agarwal,, Salem Press, 2022. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=MMG2022_1335.
APA 7th
Benson, A. K. (2022). Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. In A. Agarwal, (Ed.), Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
Benson, Alvin K. "Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome." Edited by Anubhav Agarwal,. Magill’s Medical Guide, 9th Edition. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2022. Accessed September 16, 2025. online.salempress.com.