Topic Overview

If a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is suspected, your dentist or primary care doctor will ask you to describe:

• Your jaw pain, including how long you have had it, whether you wake up with sore, stiff jaw muscles, and where you feel pain.
• Any recent change in the way your teeth fit together.
• Daily habits that may promote jaw pain—for example, whether your pain gets worse when you clench your teeth, talk, chew, swallow, or yawn.
• Recent or older injuries to your face.
• Whether stress at work or at home may be causing muscle tension.
• Your past medical history, including any conditions such as arthritis, and any previous dental problems.

During a physical exam, your health professional may:

• Touch (palpate) points around your jaw joint and move your jaw around.
• Check for pain and tenderness.
• Use a stethoscope to check for clicking or popping while your jaw is moving.
• Check for problems with swallowing, signs of teeth grinding, and whether your jaw is locking.
• Use a ruler to measure how wide you can open your jaw.
• Make a dental cast of your teeth to check to see how they line up together and if they are worn down.