Jaw joint problems
Disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ; jaw joint) are very common, they are one of the most common reasons for people to attend a maxillofacial clinic. It has been said that TMJ pain and disorders are to a maxillofacial surgeon what low back pain is to an orthopaedic surgeon: a common problem, often difficult to treat and not fully understood.
Common temporomandibular joint disorders
- TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome / facial arthromyalgia (chronic pain): up to 75 % of the population have signs
- internal derangement (fault in the joint): up to 25 % of the population have signs
- fractures and dislocation
Uncommon temporomandibular joint disorders
- degenerative (wear and tear) joint disease
- inflammatory joint disease
- ankylosis (stiff joint from fusion of the bones)
- condylar hyperplasia or hypoplasia (abnormal growth (too much or too little, respectively) of a part of the mandible, the condyle (the knuckle of the mandible in the jaw joint))
- idiopathic condylar resorption (breaking down of condyle bone tissue by resorption, unknown cause)
Rare temporomandibular joint disorders
- infective arthritis (joint inflammation)
- malignant and non-malignant tumours of the temporomandibular joint