Welcome to The TMJ Association!

We're glad you're here. You're not alone.

The TMJ Association, Ltd. (TMJA) is a nonprofit, patient advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the quality of health care and lives of everyone affected by Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). For over 25 years we have shared reliable information on TMD with people like you and invite you to read our website.

Terrie Cowley - President and Co-Founder

Think You May Have Temporomandibular Disorders?

1) FIRST, try eating soft foods, using ice packs, and avoiding extreme jaw movements, like yawning and gum chewing. Short-term use of over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines may also provide relief.

2) AVOID treatments that cause permanent changes in the bite or jaw. This includes crown work, bridge work or orthodontics to change the bite, grinding down teeth (bite adjustment), or repositioning splints.

3) AVOID surgical treatment, where possible. There have been no long-term studies to test the safety and effectiveness of these procedures.

Click here to read the National Institutes of Health brochure on Temporomandibular Disorders

On June 16, 2016 your TMJ Association, working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led the first-ever RoundTable bringing together all those concerned with TMJ implants: patients, providers, manufacturers, regulators, researchers, and policymakers. Participants engaged in discussions, shared challenges openly and in the end expressed willingness to work collaboratively to rebuild trust and work toward the common goal – improving the healthcare of the TMJ patients of this country. The meeting was hosted by the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health at FDA headquarters in Maryland. The intent of the meeting was met and the meeting itself was deemed to be a success and an aspirational model for future patient-led interactions. Click here to read the TMJ Patient Roundtable background, goals, and meeting summary.

The June 16th meeting, the first in an ongoing process, laid the groundwork for future discussions which will begin in topic designated working groups. These working groups will work toward fulfilling the goals of the project which are to develop outcome assessment and reporting tools based on patient input, as well as evidence to incorporate patient-centered data into clinical care. The working groups will examine the natural history and pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders, the scientific evidence underlying the progression of treatments leading to surgical procedures and/or implants. Additionally, they will examine the current treatment protocols, best-practices, guidelines and educational curricula on TMJ treatments across health care disciplines.

The TMJ Association is the only organization fighting for the best science that will lead to a greater understanding of Temporomandibular Disorders and safe and effective treatments. As a nonprofit, 501(c)3 patient advocacy organization, we rely solely on the generous donations from people like you to fund vital TMD research and awareness efforts. Double your gift today with a corporate matching contribution! For additional ways you can help, click here.

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Iraida’s Story

I underwent bilateral TMJ implant surgery in 2009, hoping to get relief from severe pain. Following the operation, my struggle became more than just coping with the daily pain, but was made worse by the lack of compassion and understanding from health care professionals. Instead of lending an ear to my struggles, my complaints were (and are) ignored. Seeking to alleviate the pain from the first implant surgery, I underwent a second surgery to replace one of the implants, but, damage to the trigeminal nerve had already been done. As a result, I became a trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patient. In short, I sought help for TMJ pain, underwent multiple surgeries, and ended up with permanent nerve damage and constant excruciating pain How did this happen? This is my story.
This is my story.

Educational Brochures on Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions

This brochure addresses what are Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPCs), how COPCs are diagnosed, the complexity of the chronic pain experience, and how to work with your health care provider to develop a treatment plan. It is available by postal ma

Study Highlights TMD Evidence and Current Practice Gaps

The TMJ Association has long championed the need for strong evidence-based demonstrations of the safety and efficacy of TMD diagnostics and treatments. Sad to say, as the following journal article indicates, even among a network of research-oriented practices, dental providers are still resorting to such TMD treatments as occlusal adjustments in which teeth are irreversibly moved, ground down, or in other ways altered, a treatment for which there is no scientific evidence of efficacy.

Beware of Ticks and Lyme Disease

We are currently in the peak season for Lyme disease. Each year at this time we highlight this topic because we have heard from a number of patients over the years who were misdiagnosed and underwent unnecessary TMD treatments when they actually had Lyme

#*!"@!**! ... May Help Your Pain... and Improve Strength!

Our headline is adopting the comic strip convention of using symbols to denote swear words because we are intrigued by a report that swearing may have some health benefits.

Predictors of Opioid Efficacy for Chronic Pain Patients

Opioids are increasingly used for treatment of chronic pain. However, they are only effective in a subset of patients and have multiple side effects. Thus, studies using biomarkers for response are highly warranted.

Who is affected by TMJ disorders (TMD)? What are the causes, symptoms, and treatments? How are they diagnosed? Find answers to all your TMD questions.