Treatment of TMJ Disorders 

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jawbone to the skull. TMJ disorders often cause discomfort in the cheek, jaw, and ear areas and affect normal jaw function.

Less severe cases of TMJ can be treated with self-managed care that includes:

• Eating soft foods
• Using ice packs
• avoid extreme jaw movement 
• non-surgical treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, Botox injections, and stabilized splints.

In severe cases, surgical treatments like jaw joint replacements can be necessary. There are three categories of TMJ conditions. 

• Myofascial pain: discomfort or muscle pain that controls jaw function, leading to grinding teeth, another TMJ disorder. 
• Internal derangement of the joint: an indicator of a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle. 
• Arthritis: a degenerative inflammatory disorder.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders 

TMJ disorders can be heightened by stress that leads to: 

• Headaches
• Soreness in the cheek or jaw area
• Pain in or around the ears
• Facial pain
• Tight jaws
• Popping or clicking sounds when opening mouth
• Locking of the jaw
• Difficulty chewing.