Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD) is misalignment of the jaw sustained by muscular imbalances.
Symptoms of TMJD include difficulty to completely open the mouth wide, pain in the face or jaw, especially around the ear, and difficulty chewing.
There are four major movers of the Jaw. Temporalis, Medial Pterygoid, and Masselter all close the Jaw, while lateral Pterygoid attaches the disc and initiates opening.
Trismus, also known as “lockjaw”. occurs when the lateral Pteygoid fails to move the cartilaginous disc into place.