As the name suggests, temporomandibular joint dysfunction occurs when there is a dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. When healthy, the joint acts like a well-oiled sliding hinge, allowing you to do things like open and close your jaw, speak and eat – all without discomfort. However, when a problem arises with the bones that interact with the joint, the cartilage that covers them, or the small, shock-absorbing disk that separates them, it can lead to significant pain and other unpleasant symptoms.
There are various possible causes that can lead to dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint and the exact cause (or combination of causes) leading to a person’s TMJ disorder may be difficult to pinpoint.