Hi Ryan,
Not sure what the styloid process is, I'll have to look it up.
I have had some TMJ on both sides - and dental work on both sides that it a problem. But I also fell, face forward one time, on the sidewalk, where I couldn't really protect my face. I stuck my chin out to protect my face (nose), and got quite a whomp on the jaw. There was a delayed reaction - about a week later one side of my jaw hurt A LOT for about a week, and then went away. The ER doctor (who had to sew up my chin) asked if I wanted xrays, and I said no, it didn't hurt (probably numb!) so i don't know if anything would have shown up, but if it happened again, I would say 'yes', just to be sure.
I also have RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and I know that can play into it. In fact, I'm having some overlapping problems now. But you don't need to have RA to have joint problems, and some people start getting OA (osteoarthritis) long before, particularly if there have been injuries, be they sports, accidents, or what.
Don't know if this helps, but write back if you like.
Ellen
57 years old, RA, FM, reflux, on Enbrel, Celebrex, omeptrazole (generic prilosec), and some vitamins and minerals... guaifenesin, osteobiflex, acidophilus.

Hi Ryan,

Sometimes when we have TMD on one side only, we tend to protect that side a bit more, and unintentionally injure the other side because it's doing most of the work. That, plus maybe the hard surface of the table might have caused the initial flare up of that joint.
I've always had TMD on both sides, but the left side flares up more frequently and painfully than the right (even thought an MRI showed that the right side is in worse condition).
Do you think your TMD is in the joint itself, or more muscular? Some good advice would be to rest your jaw, eat soft foods, hot/cold packs, and maybe try some gentle massage on your face while your in the shower. Hopefully it will go away on its own.
Good Luck!
Melanie.