Jaw joint pain on only one side help?!
Question: Jaw joint pain on only one side help?
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
It sounds like you have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Go see a dentist or orthodontist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporomand…
The symptoms you have described indicates an articular disk that has been locked out after being dislocated for whatever reason. The articular disk is a structure that is part of the temporomandibular joint that functions to enable the mouth to open more than 3 fingers wide. There are two types of motions involved in jaw opening. The first few millimeters is purely rotational so you will always be able open that much but to open more than 3 fingers wide, the condyles (jaw joints) must translate or slide down a particular path on the skull. If the articular disk becomes dislocated and cannot go back into place, it acts like a doorstop to prevent this translation from happening with the result that the mandible feels like it is "stuck." Until the articular disk pops back into place on its own or when you maneuver your lower jaw around, the mandible will not be able to open wide.
You need to find a dentist who knows how to treat TMJ (not all do) but avoid oral surgeons and traditional orthodontists, trust me.
functional orthodontist; treated TMJ since 1984