Jaw pain
The most common symptom of temporomandibular dysfunction is pain in and around the temporomandibular joint, typically caused by extreme tension in the masticatory muscles and by the wear or displacement of the joint cartilage.
There are several possible causes of increased muscle tension, but the most frequent is teeth grinding, which may occur during sleep and/or while awake. During teeth grinding, the temporomandibular joint, the chewing muscles, and the teeth are exposed to forces exceeding 50 kilograms. This prolonged and continuous load disrupts the balance of the masticatory muscles. In the tense muscles, blood flow and oxygen delivery become impaired, which can result in jaw joint pain at rest that intensifies when opening the mouth.
Due to increasing excessive load on the temporomandibular joint, the cartilage within the joint gradually wears down. The more it wears, the less resistant the joint becomes to shear forces. In such cases, jaw pain typically intensifies with joint movements (e.g., speaking, chewing) and may be accompanied by a crunching or crackling sensation.
The temporomandibular joint consists of a condyle (joint head) and a joint socket, with a cartilage disc (articular disc) situated between them. Attached to the disc is a highly vascularized and innervated tissue region. During normal jaw movements, the joint head and the disc move together. With sudden, wide opening of the mouth (such as yawning or biting into an apple), the disc may shift—most commonly forward. When this happens, a sharp popping sound can be heard, usually followed by significant pain, and it may take a few seconds before the mouth can be closed again.
In this situation, the vascularized and innervated tissue—not the disc—lies between the joint head and the joint socket. This tissue is then subjected to pressure during jaw movement, causing considerable pain because it contains nerve endings. Over time, the pain may decrease as this tissue gradually adapts. However, this does not mean that the disc has returned to its normal anatomical position, which is why it is highly recommended to consult a specialist who is experienced in temporomandibular joint treatment. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance of restoring the disc to its original position.
During an initial assessment, we identify the cause of the temporomandibular dysfunction and tailor the therapy accordingly. Through TMJ-focused physiotherapy, lifestyle guidance, and relaxation exercises, we help relieve and eliminate your jaw joint pain.