What to Expect from Your First Appointment with Your TMJ Specialist

Finally, the jaw pain, clicking, popping, locking or muscle spasms have gotten to be too much. It’s time to make an appointment with an experienced doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. Going to a new doctor can be intimidating but, if you’re prepared, it can be a little less overwhelming.

Before your appointment, take some time to gather any information that may be important to your diagnosis and treatment. This includes your health records, any imaging done recently and lists of medications (including vitamins and supplements) you’re taking regularly and any mouth/jaw-related procedures you’ve had done in the past. Your TMJ specialist will ask a number of questions during your first appointment and it can’t hurt to be over prepared.

Your first appointment is full of questions, examinations and possibly impressions. Here are some things you can expect from your first appointment with your TMJ specialist:

Extensive questions about your health history and symptoms. This is your chance to tell your specialist about the TMJ pain and symptoms you’ve been experiencing. Any and all details may be important to diagnosing and treating your TMJ pain. Even if you think a symptom may be unrelated to your jaw pain, it can a lesser known symptom of TMJ.

A physical examination. Even if you’ve been referred to your new TMJ specialist by your dentist, expect to receive a physical examination when in the office. Your TMJ specialist will be looking closely at your jaw, head and neck area, specifically looking at alignment and movements to see how your temporomandibular joint functions and what treatments may be effective for reducing your pain.

Examinations often also include special x-rays and/or tomographic imaging of your jaw to give the specialist another look at your temporomandibular joint.

Impressions of your teeth. Depending on what your specialist sees during their in-depth physical examination, they may order models of your teeth, using a simple impression technique. These impressions provide the specialist and their staff with a record of your biting and chewing patterns.

After your first appointment, your specialist will have a better idea of your individual needs. Each case of TMJ pain is unique and so is your diagnosis and overall treatment plan.

For patients in the in the Dayton, Ohio area looking for a TMJ specialist, Dr. Mitakides at The TMJ Treatment Center is here to help. With more than 40 years of experience diagnosing and treating TMJ, he is dedicated to reducing your pain. Contact us or give us a call today at 937-427-3131 to schedule an appointment.