The TMJ connects the upper temporal bone to the lower jaw bone (mandible). It both hinges and slides and is one of the most complex joints in the human body.
If you wake up with morning headaches and pain in the jaw or other orofacial pain, you could be suffering from Tempormandibular joint dysfuction (TMJD). TMJD covers a range of conditions that are complex and not well understood. Often, TMJD sufferers will experience pain in and around the one or both TMJ.
TMJD is relatively common and around 30% of the population may be affected. For some people, TMJD can have a very negative impact on their lives.