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Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ or TMD), are a collection of
conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and
limitations in jaw movements. Injury and conditions that routinely
affect other joints in the body, such as arthritis, also affect the
temporomandiular joint. One or both joints may be affected in people
with TMD, which can affect a person ability to speak, eat, chew,
swallow, make facial expressions, and even breathe.
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind
your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint.
Or, you may have a damaged jaw joint due to injury or disease.
Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain,
clicking, or grating noises when you open your mouth, or trouble
opening your mouth wide.
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