LAKE FOREST AND LAKE BLUFF IL
Waking up with debilitating headaches or constant jaw pain may have you searching for answers online about temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ/TMD. This common disorder is an oral condition that occurs when there’s a strain on the jaw joint or nerve irritation. It can result in excruciating pain that will only get better when you seek proper treatment. So, to help you determine if you may have TMJ disorder, our Lake Forest dentists that treat TMJ patients share the following quiz and your next steps toward treatment and pain relief.
What is the quiz for TMJ disorder?
The TMD Screener was released in 2011 as a result of the hard work of Dr. Yoly M. Gonzalez, DDS, MS, MPH, and Dr. Eric Schiffman, DDS, MS. By using this tool, practitioners could more quickly identify the majority of patients with TMJ disorders or temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Early and accurate identification could have a major impact on your diagnosis and treatment plan. Please keep in mind, however, that this quiz does not serve as a diagnosis. Depending on your results, you should schedule a consultation with a TMJ dentist in Lake Forest for an official diagnosis and explore treatment options.
The TMJ Disorder Quiz
Below is the Questionnaire:
In the last 30 days, which of the following best describes any pain in your jaw or temple area on either side?
- No pain
- Pain comes and goes
- Pain is always present
In the last 30 days, have you had pain or stiffness in your jaw on awakening?
- No
- Yes
In the last 30 days, did the following activities change any pain (that is, make it better or make it worse) in your jaw or temple area on either side?
Chewing hard or tough food
- No
- Yes
Opening your mouth or moving your jaw forward or to the side
- No
- Yes
Jaw habits such as holding teeth together, clenching/grinding, or chewing gum
- No
- Yes
Other jaw activities such as talking, kissing, or yawning
- No
- Yes
What do the results of the quiz mean?
After answering the above questions, you will want to score your results. So, an ‘A’ response is zero points, a ‘B’ response is one point, and a ‘C’ response is two points. Once you tally your score, compare it to the positive and negative descriptions below to find out if you may have a TMJ disorder.
- Positive Screener: According to the DC/TMD, patients with more than 3 points or the 0-7 range on the screener are likely to have painful TMD symptoms and are therefore regarded as having a positive result.
- Negative Screener: According to the DC/TMD, patients with less than 3 points on the screener are presumed NOT to have painful TMD symptoms and are therefore believed to have a negative result. However, we still urge you to schedule a consultation with a TMJ dentist near you.
Our TMJ dentists near Lake Bluff explain that the above quiz doesn’t constitute a definitive diagnosis of TMJ disorder. A TMJ diagnosis requires a consultation with our qualified dentists to conduct a complete screening and exam to determine if you have a jaw joint disorder. Then, based on your results, we can design a customized treatment plan to reduce painful symptoms.
TMJ Treatment in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire
Navigating life with constant headaches or jaw pain can create a daily challenge that is difficult to overcome. Patients who seek treatment early can stop painful sensations and restore their natural bite balance. For those who wait longer, additional time, procedures, and expenses may be necessary to correct the problem. Failing to seek treatment can be a severely painful way to force yourself to get help because the symptoms only compound. So, if you suffer from morning headaches or jaw pain throughout the day, schedule a consultation with our TMJ dentists in Lake Forest by calling Lake Forest Smiles at (847) 234-4800 or contact us online.