What Is TMJ?

TMJ is the acronym for the temporomandibular joint. You have two, one on each side of your head. They connect your lower jaw to your skull. A round bump on each side of your jaw fits into an indentation on the skull, and cartilage holds them in place. The joint functions like a sliding hinge and allows your mouth to open and close. With the help of your facial muscles, your temporomandibular joints allow you to yawn, chew and speak.

Whenever you have jaw pain or limitations in the flexibility of your jaw, you may have TMJ dysfunction. This condition impacts your quality of life because you don’t want to open your mouth or move your jaw. Don’t wait for it to get that bad; seek attention at the first sign of jaw pain. If you’re looking for a top TMJ specialist in the New York City area, Dr. Alex Shalman is one of the best dentists for TMJ relief. His family dentistry practice in Downtown Manhattan is a boutique practice, which means he has the bandwidth to give you his complete attention. His primary focus is the health and functionality of your teeth, gums and jaw, and he’s passionate about his work.