Understanding Facial Pain: Diagnosis and Treatment Early and effective treatment of unremitting facial pain can help patients avoid severe and debilitating TMD facial pain. The July 2018 Overview and Statistics on Facial Pain article states, that "TMJDs are the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions resulting in pain and disability (after chronic low back pain), affecting approximately 5 to 12% of the population. "

The severity of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder impacts a patient’s level of pain experience and which TMJ treatment plan is recommended. The pain clinician’s skill lies in identifying the type of jaw dysfunction, probable cause, and the most conservative, effective treatment to reduce pain levels. Often, when a person is diagnosed with TMJ pain, some of the first questions are around how severe the TMJ pain may become, how quickly we can help lower their pain levels, and if this pain can be completely overcome. None of us like feeling “pain,” so we regard these as important questions to answer.

How to treat TMJ-related jaw locking up issues. Jaw locking is a common symptom of a TMJ problem, although a locked jaw sensation does not always accompany TMJ disorders or TMD. As well it can be a symptom of tetanus. This can cause confusion for people suffering from jaw pain. Patients often describe it as feeling like limited or restricted mouth opening, "jaw locking" or "jaw tension."

Non-surgical TMJ Treatments are the New Standard. The first treatment of choice for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems should avoid irreversible surgical treatments. Arthrocentesis occurs in three steps: forcing apart the joint constituents, washing away inflammation and degradable products, and eliminating intra-articular effusion to decrease intra-articular pressure, control pain, and improve function.

Trigeminal Neuralgia's Association with TMJ. How is the Trigeminal Nerve Associated with TMJ? TMJ vs. TN: How to Know the Difference?