TMJ (TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT) The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw, (called the mandible), to the temporal bone at the side of the head. Because the joints are flexible, the jaw can move smoothly up and down and side to side, enabling us to chew, talk and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control its position and movement. The TMJ is the most frequently used joint in the body. When we open our …showed first 75 words of 299 total…

…showed last 75 words of 299 total…some patients, the meniscus remains anteriorly displaced at full opening, which can cause an inability in fully opening the mouth. Sometimes there can be a tear in the meniscus and this is a more severe than the TMJ disorder. It can lead to the joint breaking down and resulting in a receding chin and protruding teeth as time goes by. If this disk is pressing against the inner ear you can suffer from hearing loss.