Patient Self Diagnostic Exam

If you have headaches, a negative C.A.T. Scan and a normal neurological evaluation, you may have a Temporomandibular Disorder.

I. History of Trauma

A.

Automobile accident with direct trauma to head face, or neck.

B.

Automobile accident with air bag deployment.

C.

Rear end automobile accident with whiplash injury to neck, back, or jaw.

D.

Work related injury with direct trauma to head, face, or neck.

E.

Repetitive work related injury.

F.

Airplane baggage compartment related injury to head face or neck.

G.

Assault.

II. Self Assessment Questionnaire

A.

Do you experience Headaches ? (Especially in the morning when you wake up or in the evening when you go to bed)

B.

Do you have pain around the eyes. in the forehead, or at your temples?

C.

Do you have pain in the face, neck, or shoulders?

D.

Do you have pain, ringing, or buzzing in your ears?

E.

Do you experience clogging, fullness, or pressure in your ears that comes and goes?

F.

Do you experience a clicking popping or snapping in your jaw joints when you open wide close your mouth, or bite down?

G.

Do you have pain when you open wide, close your mouth, or bite down?

H.

Do you have difficulty with chewing talking, or yawning?

III. Self Screening Examination

A.

Face a mirror.

B.

Observe opening movement of the mouth:

Abnormal TMJ Opening

1. Lower jaw pulls to left or right on opening mouth.

2. Lower jaw pulls to one side, then to the other side on opening the mouth.

C.

Point to where it hurts when you have your headaches:

D.

Press firmly the following, assessing for pain on the left, right, or both sides:

1. Press at your left and right temples.

2. Press above your left and right ears.
3. Press in front of your left & right ears while opening & closing your mouth.
4. Open your mouth wide, put your small finger in your ear, then bite closed. Palpate The Jaw

A HISTORY OF TRAUMA, “YES” TO SEVERAL OF THE TMJ QUESTIONS AND PAIN ON SELF EXAMINATION MAY INDICATE THE NEED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION BY A TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER (TMD) SPECIALIST.

ANXIETY AND FATlGUE CAN INFLUENCE THE PROGRESS OF THIS CONDITION.

((Click here to download the Questionnaire))