TMJ vs TMD: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

A man holds his cheek with a pained expression; a red highlight on his cheek indicates pain or toothache.

If you have jaw pain, you have probably heard the term “TMJ” used to describe both the joint and the problem. But TMJ and TMD are not the same thing. Understanding the difference matters because it affects how your condition is diagnosed and treated. Both fall under the broader field of TMJ and orofacial pain. […]