The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint where the upper and lower jaw meet. TMJ disorders broadly refer to several complex problems related to this joint such as acute jaw pain, locking jaw and grinding teeth (bruxism).

Common symptoms of TMJ disorders include headache, dizziness, ear pain, sounds (grinding, clicking, crunching or popping at the joint), and/or ringing of the ear. Sleep bruxism (clenching or grinding teeth) often goes unnoticed and undiagnosed until the patient’s dentist identifies worn or even broken teeth