Hello guys, Im 19 and I suspect I have a TMJ. I've just came across this forum today after earlier going to the hospital for X-rays. Two days ago I was caught up in a fight in which I was headbutted to the RIGHT side of my jaw. Straight after this, I felt that my jaw would not close as the pain was too much. It almost felt like my bottom jaw wasn't connecting on the LEFT side. I like to keep my feelings and pain to myself sometimes and so it wasn't until two days later that I went to the hospital to check it out. I received 2 x-rays on my jaw, but nothing was fractured or dislocated (apparently); several nurses and doctors came to this conclusion. I just left the Hospital shortly after...

Later on in the day and as i'm writing this, the left side of my Jaw still hurts when I close it and especially when I clench it. The pain feels like a strong earache to my left ear. The pain is also worse at certain times in the day. For the last two days, the pain has been worst first thing in the morning and at night.

Before I finish, I'd like to say that I have been 'cracking' my jaw as kind of a habit for at least a year but I have suffered no real pain from this until now. My jaw has however came out of place on more than one occasion (perhaps 4?) at seemingly random times before the incident 2 days ago.

The question is, do you think I have TMJ and who should I see about it? I don't want to get too depressed about this as I will be going to University in 2 weeks but I'll be ready for anything you are willing to post. I have already read several descriptions of TMJ on the internet, including the one on the TMJ association.

Thanks for reading.