The temporomandibular joint is the movable joint that connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. A number of epidemiological studies show that problems with this joint occur in 60%–70% of the population. Despite this high percentage, only one in four patients reports a problem. These are usually women, but it is thought that men are simply less likely to seek help, rather than the problem mainly affecting women.
Jaw joint pain can have a wide variety of causes. Some of them are: injury, inflammation, degenerative disease, clenching and grinding of the teeth, incorrect contacts between the teeth, a poorly adapted restoration in the mouth such as a bridge, poor general health, an unhealthy diet, nervous tension, stress, depression and nervous disorders. Temporomandibular joint disorders are described as multifactorial – that is, they have more than one cause acting at the same time.
Orthodontic treatment can correct incorrect contacts between the teeth, but if this is only part of the cause of the discomfort and pain, it won't be enough to resolve the problem.
This answer is for general information. Your own case needs an examination by an orthodontist.