I think it's something I was born with, like my jaw just isn't formed right or something. I don't remember it coming on suddenly or anything, it just feels like whenever I open my mouth wide enough, my jaw comes out of socket on one side. It doesn't ususally cause me any problems...Sometimes it will pop painfully and it will be sore for a while, and if I have to keep my mouth open wide for a long time, like at the dentist's office, it will get tired and sore.
I came here because I was wondering if anyone else here has the same sort of tmj and if so, how they have had it treated. My pediatric dentist and my current dentist both asked me if I would like to have surgery to correct it, and I just wasn't interested in fixing the problem at all. But I was wondering if the only way to correct my particular situation is through surgery. It just seems like a really drastic solution to something that's only an occasional problem. Thank you for your help!