Questions to Ask Your TMJ Doctor

Pain or tenderness in your face or jaw, clicking or popping when chewing, difficulty chewing, swelling on the side of your face and more – all of these are symptoms of TMJ. Whether you’re experiencing one of these symptoms or one of the many others associated with TMJ, seeking medical attention should be your next step. At your next appointment with your family physician or dentist, bring up these symptoms—they will likely refer you to a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders.

Once you’ve been referred, you may be anxious to get in to the office to ask all of the questions you’ve been searching online or asking other medical professionals. Before your visit, it’s important to create a list of questions for your new doctor. Don’t be afraid to list everything you can think of—you don’t want to miss anything or forget to ask something while in the office with the doctor.

Some questions to consider adding to your list include:

-How much experience do you have treating patients with TMJ?
-What credentials and certifications do you and your staff members have?
-What treatments do you offer for TMJ pain and symptoms?
-How do you diagnose TMJ?
-After diagnosis, how do you plan treatment for your patients?
-Typically, how soon can I expect to notice relief from my TMJ pain?
-How often do you recommend surgery as a treatment option?

Similarly, you can prepare answers to questions about yourself before going in to the office. There are a few questions that you can expect to be asked by your new TMJ doctor during your first appointment:

-How often do you experience your TMJ symptoms—constantly, sporadically, etc.?
-Have you noticed that your TMJ symptoms and pain are triggered by any specific activity?
-Do you have difficulty opening your mouth? Is this difficulty regular or only occasionally?
-Have you experienced any dizziness, muffled hearing, ear pain or ringing in the ears?
-Do you grind your teeth or awaken in the morning with sore teeth?
-Are your jaw, neck and upper back tender?

Finding the correct doctor to treat your TMJ pain and alleviate your symptoms is essential. If you’re in the Dayton, Ohio area and are looking for a doctor to help treat your TMJ, the TMJ Treatment Center can help! Dr. Mitakides is a nationally recognized expert in the field of TMJ disorder and craniofacial pain. To start down the road toward TMJ relief, contact us to set up an appointment.