The temporomandibular tem puh roe man dib u lur joint tmj acts like a sliding hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull you have one joint on each side of your jaw tmj disorders a type of temporomandibular disorder or tmd can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. Temporomandibular disorders are problems affecting the jaw joint and the muscles and other tissues around the jaw joint these disorders usually cause pain or reduced movement of the jaw and sometimes sounds such as clicking or grating of the jaw joint. Temporomandibular joint disorder tmjd the purpose of this leaflet is to help you understand and manage jaw joint problems the temporomandibular joints tmjs are your jaw joints and are located in front of the ears where the skull and the lower jaw meet the joints allow the lower jaw to move and function the joint is made up of two bones that are separated by a disc of cartilage that acts . Information for the patient your surgeon has asked you to consider total temporomandibular joint tmj reconstruction because your tmj has become compromised or damaged resulting in pain and or loss of jaw function