I would like to know how one can tell the difference between tmj syndrome and a wisdom tooth coming in ! thanks?

TMJ vs. Wisdom Pain: Tmj pain usually is a pain in front of the ear with popping and clicking. It can also cause headaches and muscle pain radiating from the lower jaw to the temple. Wisdom tooth pain usually is a gum infection as the tooth is trying to erupt. It is difficult to keep clean and debris creates an unclean gum infection with inflammation, pain and swelling. It can sometimes also be difficult to close.

Exam: Tmj refers to the temporomandibular joints, where the upper bone (maxilla- temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible) meet and function...The joints. This is a simplistic description and you should look this up on the web for a more definitive anatomical answer. Better terms for symptoms associated with the TMJ mechanism are tmd (temporomandibular dysfunction, ) or TMJ syndrome.

Overlap of symptoms: There is an overlap of symptoms. I see patients frequently referred for wisdom tooth extraction when the problem is TMJ. Have an oral surgeon help with the diagnosis. Treatment predicated on diagnosis.

See a dentist: The wisdom teeth can result in swelling, sharp pain, inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. TMJ syndrome is a disorder that causes symptoms like dull aching pain, clicking and headache. See your dentist for deferential diagnosis, x-rays and treatment.