The problem with medicating symptoms is that you mask the symptoms of a bigger problem. If the problem is curable, why not go after it so the symptoms will go away on their own? I don't see a lot of doctors going with this approach though - they seem to prefer prescribing pills. Others here with much more experience and knowledge can answer you better than I, but I tried ibuprofen for ages and it didn't do a lot. I've taken way beyond the prescribed dose throughout the course of a day and still have an unbearable headache. That is just one preson though, and each of us is different. If you truly have TMJ, then ibuprofen will only mask a bigger issue. It won't realign your joints if they're out of position, it won't replace a slipped disc in the TMJ either. Can you get to a specialist that treats TMJ? They can do a bit more serious examination and see what's going on. What kind of symptoms are you having?

My symptoms are chronic and persistent ear fullness, clicking/cracking in the ears, word confusion and cognitive slowness. No sinus symptoms. No infection or discharge.

My doctor, who is an ENT specialist, recommends Ibuprofen not simply as a palliative - as you say, 'a mask' - but as an anti-inflammatory acting on the TMJ itself. However, it is obvious to me that he doesn't know what is wrong. He is currently suggesting an MRI and a CT scan.