The most common symptom of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is pain, which can affect the eyes, ears, jaw, facial muscles, neck and shoulders. The eye pain is often described as pain behind the eye, and the ear pain is sometimes accompanied by hearing impairment.

Patients with TMD may also experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Headaches, sometimes including migraines
• Jaw locking or catching that makes it difficult to open or close the mouth
• Popping or clicking of the jaw
• A bite that feels “off,” uneven or uncomfortable
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Swelling of the side of the face
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Tingling of the fingers

Some people who are diagnosed with certain forms of TMJ disorder experience no symptoms or pain in the jaw area or the function of the jaw. Most patients experience only moderate or periodic symptoms that require mild intervention or treatment.

For some patients, symptoms will improve on their own in a matter of weeks or months – with or without treatment. However, a small percentage of people with TMJ disorder have symptoms that become progressively worse over time.