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Jaw pain is like a toothache; it can range from mild to debilitating, and finding relief depends on treating its underlying cause. For many patients, finding relief from chronic jaw pain requires diagnosing and treating their TMJ disorder—a dysfunction with your jaw’s joints that is often the cause of jaw pain and a host of other chronic discomforts. Today, we explore the mechanisms behind TMJ disorder, and other common symptoms that might accompany your jaw pain if you’re in the throes of the jaw dysfunction.

How Your Jaw Works

TMJ disorder derives its name from the joints it affects, called the temporomandibular joints. Your TMJs are located just in front of each ear, and they connect your lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull. The gliding joints are designed to move smoothly and minimize the impact of chewing. When your bite is misaligned, either from trauma, crooked/missing teeth, or a congenital jaw defect, these joints and the muscles that surround them have to strain to keep your mouth straight. This can quickly lead to damage and inflammation of your TMJs.

The inflamed joints and muscles can disturb the nerve that passes through your jaw, which is only one branch of the three-branch nerve (the trigeminal nerve) that accounts for the majority of craniofacial nerve input. The nerve can transfer pain in your jaw to other areas along its path, resulting in a wide variety of TMJ disorder symptoms.

Other Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Aside from chronic jaw pain, TMJ disorder can also result in a number of seemingly-unrelated aches and pains, including (but not limited to);

  • Chronic migraines
  • Severe, recurring earaches
  • Facial pain/tenderness
  • Difficulty opening and/or closing your mouth fully
  • Locked jaw
  • And more

Learn More About Treating TMJ Disorder

If you suffer from chronic jaw pain and dysfunction, then let your dentist take a closer look to determine if you suffer from TMJ disorder. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with our dental health experts, call Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108. We also welcome patients from Mount Vernon, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and all nearby communities.