Yes, this is a symptom of TMJ disorder. I've never had my jaws lock open or closed, but I've had times when I couldn't open them very wide. That was pretty scary.

My chiropractor has adjusted my TMJ multiple times, and that helps, but it doesn't cure the problem.

He said he has seen patients with TMJ whose jaws have locked closed... and whose jaws have locked open!

I kept thinking about how horrible it would be not to be able to open/close my jaws at will, especially after I had the "limited opening" situation.

Thanks for the info and the reply!

My jaw was dislocated (both sides) during a dental procedure:( I have to wear a night guard and the oral surgeon stressed that this would help in my jaw NOT locking. So far it really does help. I cannot wear it every night because it bothers my dry mouth that I have with my sjogrens. BUT I do wear it most nights now.

TMJ can cause the jaw to do so many things and it can be very painful

I wonder if a warm moist wrap for your jaw, like the bed buddy, would help keep those jaw muscles relaxed so that it does not lock as often for you. I am sorry you have to go through this.
EllaBlue

I have had TMD for just about four months and have had my jaw lock up to the point that I had to use my fingers or arm to close. The splint or one of my front teenth has caused a sore inside my mouth which also affects my closing. One night I went to the emergency room since I hadn't closed for several hours and they put me under conscious sedation and lifted my jaw and closed it for me in a comfortable way but that wore off after 24 hours and now I am listening to relaxation tapes to keep my jaw from locking. Anybody else lock and how do you unlock?

My family and friends thought I was crazy. I went through a year of my jaw locking and the only way to open it was to press the area right next to my ear lobe on the left side of my face. It's the top of the jaw bone. It was like I had to press a button to get my mouth to open. It was very embarrassing especially at restaurants. I thought everyone was watching me eat. Every bit I took I had to press the left side of my jaw to open it. I've been wearing an NTI device and I haven't had my jaw lock in over 8 years!! Knock on Wood! The NTI relaxes the jaw and the muscles at night when you sleep. Which is most likely when you clench or grind. It helped me finally be able to open my mouth again so I could bite into a burger and not have to cut it into little pieces! Good Luck, hope you feel better!

Yup they sure are symptoms of TMJ. The year I was diagnosed was the worst my jaw would constantly lock while chewing yawning talking..anytime I opened my mouth really! It was awful sometimes it would get stuck in the locked position while closed and I couldnt talk or eat and when it would pop open it would be very painful. It was very difficult to go to the dentist as well...the last time i went my jaw locked and couldn't get it open large enough for them to do their work. Frustrating condition!

Yes def a symptom, mine is locked at the moment, only opens a tiny bit, its a horrible claustaphobic feeling but nothing is helping to unlock it! x

Hello,
I haven't had my jaw completely lock up, but just about. What really worked for me to losen up the muscles, and open up the mouth was a heating pad.

First on the neck for 5 or 10 minutes, on hi and then directly on the side that is hurting. Losened mine up completly, just a small amount of soreness after that.

Good luck,
Kathy