Between the two bones (your jaw and skull) is a small disc of cartilage, which is the most important part of your TMJ. It is this disc that allows the smooth movement of your jaw during every day functions.

For the majority of patients, pain associated with the TMJ is a result of the cartilage disc moving out of its correct position. This causes pressure and stretching of the associated sensory nerves. The popping or clicking sound heard by the sufferer or others occurs when the disk snaps back into place when the jaw moves. In addition, the chewing muscles may spasm and not function efficiently, causing pain and tenderness in the joint and muscles.