Diagnosis

Screening for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) should be part of a regular medical or dental exam. Your health care provider may ask if you have any of the following:

• Jaw pain
• Ear pain or stuffiness
• Headache
• Injuries to the jaw, head and/or neck
• Locking or catching of the jaws
• Neck ache
• Noises in your jaw
• Past TMD or orofacial pain treatment

During a dental exam, your dentist will:

• Compare both sides of the jaw, face and head for symmetry
• Feel the TMJs, jaw bones and head and neck muscles to find painful areas
• Inspect the gums, mouth tissue and teeth for disease and excessive tooth wear from bruxism
• Look for jaw deviation on opening
• Listen for joint noises
• Measure how wide you can open your jaw and check side-to-side movements

Your health care provider will recommend a more in-depth evaluation if he or she thinks you may have TMD. This may include:

• More details about all your jaw, head and neck symptoms.
• Medical, dental, personal and family history
• Complete physical exam of your jaw joints and muscles; nerves, bones and blood vessels in the head and neck; and teeth, gums and soft tissues.
• Psychological evaluation, including a brief interview and testing.
• X-rays and diagnostic imaging, biopsies, blood and urine tests, neurological tests and diagnostic injections