Temporomandibular question what's tmj, tmjd or tmd)?

Good question: Tmd is the term used generically to include various disorders of the dental apparatus that causes pain at the side of the face. Tmd could represent true jaw inflammation, muscle hyperactivity secondary to bruxism (unconscious grinding of teeth) or a dental infection. Tmj specifically refers to true joint disease such as rheumatoid or osteoarthritis of the jaw joint or intrinsic jaw disorders.

They're All the Same: Sorry about the confusion. All these terms are descriptive only (not a diagnosis) and refer to a group of disorders which cause pain & dyfunction within or around the jaw joints. The most modern term is tmjd, but tmd is also acceptable. Tmj itself should not be used to describe any disorder, as it is simply the name of the joint itself, like knee or elbow. Your dentist can give a dignosis & help.

Anatomy vs symptoms: When i explain tmj/tmd to my patients, i tell them that everyone has TMJ (unless some type of mutation, cancer or accident.) TMJ is the anatomy of the jaw joints- (t) temporal bone on upper maxilla; (m) mandible- lower jaw; (j) joints- where the two meet in a complex of tendons, ligaments, etc. Tmd are the symptoms exhibited by someone who has a problem with the TMJ complex. Tmjd is TMJ dysfunc.

Same disease.: A series of disorders, all referring to the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures. The 3 acronyms above refer to the same disorders. The "d" stands for disorders.

TMJ vs TMD vs TMJD: TMJ is temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. TMD, TMJD which stands for temporomandibular joint Disorder or Dysfunction, as a result of problems with the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that control chewing, speaking and moving the jaw.