What is tmj (temporomandibular joints) are the jaw’s ball-and-socket-like joints that connect your upper and lower teeth in front of each ear. The joints are covered by cartilage and separated by a shock-absorbing disc that’s also made of cartilage. They’re lubricated by a thick, sticky fluid called synovial fluid. When these structures become damaged, the joint can ache or lock up. Symptoms of TMJ may last for years.

Doctors and dentists don’t always know what causes TMD. They usually diagnose the condition by asking about your health history and doing a physical exam. They’ll check for pain when you chew or open your mouth, and they’ll press on the sides of your face and jaw. They’ll also look for a clicking, popping, or grinding noise when you move your jaw. They may also take X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to see if your jaw joints are misaligned or have degenerated cartilage and discs.

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Medications may help relieve TMJ symptoms. They include over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, and prescription-strength ibuprofen. Other medications that are sometimes used for TMD include tricyclic antidepressants (especially amitriptyline), which are prescribed in low doses to treat depression; and muscle relaxants, which can reduce pain by relieving spasms in the jaw muscles.

Some doctors will do a procedure called TMJ arthroscopy to diagnose the cause of your symptoms. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a small tube with a camera (an arthroscope) into the jaw joint area to get a closer look at the tissue and make a diagnosis.