When a patient reports pain at the side of the face, headaches, jaw dysfunction, or other similar problems, doctors and dentists will often use the term TMJ to describe the condition. In fact, facial pain, sometimes called TMJ (for temporomandibular joint) or TMD (temporomandibular disorder), can include a wide spectrum of problems, with an equally wide range of causes and treatment options. Some of the most common symptoms include ear pain, aching teeth, clicking jaw, locking jaw, and tension type headaches. We also treat other oral pain conditions like burning mouth syndrome, phantom tooth pain, and nerve injuries.
