Temporomandibular Joint disorders are caused by trauma. This trauma can be a blow to the jaw or an abrupt opening of the mouth. An abrupt opening of the mouth or stretching of the TMJ ligaments may occur during intubation for general anesthetic or during a motor vehicle whiplash injury.

There is no research which shows that grinding teeth (bruxism) at night or in the daytime causes TMJ disorders. Therefore, we cannot say that grinding teeth causes TMJ disorders. Grinding your teeth may cause a TMJ disorder to be more painful due to loading of the TMJ apparatus.

There is no research that shows that stress causes TMJ disorders. Therefore, we cannot say that stress causes TMJ disorders. Stress may cause a TMJ disorder to be more painful.

There is no research that shows that a bad bite or malocclusion causes TMJ disorders. Therefore, we cannot say that a bad bite or malocclusion causes TMJ disorders.

There is research which shows that orthodontic treatment does not cause TMJ disorders. This research also shows that orthodontic treatment done with extraction of teeth does not cause TMJ disorders. Orthodontic treatment does not help a TMJ disorder either.

There is research which shows that extraction of teeth, no matter how many, does not cause TMJ disorders.

There is research which shows that extraction of wisdom teeth does not cause TMJ disorders.

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