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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll probably first talk about your TMJ symptoms with your family doctor or dentist. If home treatments don't provide enough relief, you may eventually be referred to a doctor who specializes in TMJ disorders.
What you can do
You may want to prepare a list that answers the following questions:
- What type of symptoms are you experiencing?
- When did your symptoms start?
- Does any activity seem to trigger the pain?
- Does your jaw click or pop when you move it?
- Do you have problems sleeping?
- Is your life very stressful?
What to expect from your doctor or dentist
During the physical exam, your doctor or dentist will probably:
- Listen to and feel your jaw when you open and close your mouth
- Observe the range of motion in your jaw
- Examine your bite to check for abnormalities in the alignment of the jaws
- Check for conditions — such as a high filling, teeth displaced due to earlier loss of other teeth or certain inherited characteristics — that can cause misalignment of your jaw
- Examine your teeth for wear patterns that would indicate chronic grinding
- Press on areas around your jaw to identify sites of pain or discomfort
- Ask questions about your level of stress or anxiety and how you're coping
- TMJ disorders. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/topics/tmj/tmjdisorders.htm. Accessed April 1, 2010.
- TMJ. American Academy of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tmj.cfm. Accessed April 6, 2010.
- Laskin DM. Temporomandibular joint disorders. In: Cummings CW, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192497386-8/977005653/1263/625.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01985-4..50071-X_2752. Accessed April 1, 2010.
- Sheon RP. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Zuzek RW, et al. Temporomandibular joint syndrome. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/193390682-3/0/2088/643.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00029-0--sc0035_13145. Accessed April 6, 2010.
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