Clicking jaw, also referred to as popping jaw or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome/dysfunction is a symptom associated with inflammation of the temporomandibular joint or uncoordinated action of the facial muscles.
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The mandible (lower jaw) is the movable section of the skull that articulates (movement at the joint) with the temporal bones of the skull at the tempromandibular joint (temporal – mandible). The maxilla (upper jaw) is fixed to the skull and both the upper and lower jaws work together to assist with biting, chewing and eating. Under certain conditions, the tempromandibular joint (TMJ) articulation is affected often leading to a range of symptoms like jaw pain, clicking jaw (audible), popping jaw (sensation) and headaches. These symptoms are most often caused by inflammation of the joint although the main muscles of chewing can also cause the abovementioned joint symptoms.
continue reading Clicking Jaw, Jaw Pain & TMJ Dysfunction – Symptoms, Treatment
