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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 specialist in TMJ disorders or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
What you can do
Your time with your doctor or dentist is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For TMJ disorders, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes?
- What types of tests do I need, if any?
- What treatments are available?
- What approach do you recommend?
- Should I see a specialist?
What to expect from your doctor or dentist
During your appointment, your doctor or dentist will probably:
- Conduct a medical history, including questions about how long you've experienced pain, whether you've had an injury to your jaw, and whether you've had recent dental treatment
- 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, a tipped tooth, 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
What you can do in the meantime
Before your appointment, you may be able to reduce your discomfort in the following ways:
- Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.
- Use warm, moist heat or ice on the painful area.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Work on reducing your stress and anxiety.
