TMJ/TMD

TMJ is an abbreviation for the TemporoMandibular Joint that attaches our lower jaw to our skull. Many people, and even health care professionals, incorrectly use the term TMJ as a diagnosis of a disease. Even medical journals and insurance companies use the term “TMJ” as a diagnosis when it is not. This is comparable to going to an orthopedic physician and saying, “I have knee” or going to an ear, nose and throat doctor and saying, “I have ear.” People who say, “I have TMJ” do not lead the patient or the doctor to proper diagnosis or treatment. Remember, TMJ is the name of the joint.

TMD is the acronym used for TemporoMandibular joint Dysfunction. TMD is a medical, not a dental problem. There are many specific problems that affect the TMJ.