The information contained within this page is for informational and educational purposes ONLY.  The information here is NOT intended for diagnositc purposes.  Please consult with a health care professional for a diagnosis. 

TMJ/TMD are disorders of the jaw joints.  It can affect one or both jaw joints.  It is caused by misalignment of the upper and lower jaw.  TMJ/TMD is accompanied by pain around the jaw joint that radiates and/or a popping of the jaw when it is opened.  TMJ/TMD can be caused by merely clenching the jaw from stress or an accident..

I first noticed pain on the right side of my face in December 1980.  I thought that I had an ear infection.  My ENT told me that my pain was not from my ear but from my jaw.  I suspect that my TMJ/TMD is caused by the misalignment of my jaw.  I never had any problems with jaw pain until two years after my midface/upper jaw advancement.

For years, I have endured the effects of TMJ/TMD.  Most of the time it does not bother me.  The worst bout of TMJ/TMD I've ever had was in mid to late summer 1997.  It started in July that year and didn't go awat until I had a surgery in September that year.  One day I could hardly open my mouth.

I still have chronic pain but it is bearable.  I am able to work.

The TMJ Association, Ltd.

This is an organization that offers information, advocacy, and support for people with TMJ/TMD.  To gain full use of the website, individuals are encouraged to register.

Steven and Linsey's TMJD/TMJ Webcenter

This site no longer offers information and resources but it still has links to  message boards and chat rooms.