Which Doctor Should I See for Jaw Pain?
Pain and functional losses in the jaw muscles and jaw joint are generally referred to as chewing system diseases or, in medical terms, temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
What Are the Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)?
Jaw joint disorders frequently manifest in our patients with the following symptoms:
- Significant pain in the jaw and chewing muscles,
- Restricted mouth opening (inability to fully open the mouth),
- Pain, clicking, or locking sensation during mouth opening and closing.
Which Specialist Should Be Consulted for Jaw Pain?
The specialized physicians to consult for these and similar complaints are: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Prosthetic Dentistry Specialists (Prosthodontists), and Orthodontists are specialists in this field.
Dentists specializing in temporomandibular joint disorders work in full collaboration with Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) specialists, Neurology specialists, and physiotherapists during the diagnosis and treatment process if deemed necessary.
Patients experiencing jaw pain and joint problems should consult multidisciplinary dental clinics that house these specialties, eliminating the risk of wasting time due to incorrect referrals.
The Relationship Between Jaw Pain and Ear Pain
Jaw pain is often confused with ear pain. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is anatomically located very close to the external auditory canal. Joint pain in this area may be mistaken for ear pain by the patient, and they may initially consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. In such a case, the ENT specialist will determine that there is no problem with your ear and will refer you to a competent maxillofacial surgery or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) center.
Why are Jaw Pain Treatments Performed by Dentists?
The jaws are integral parts of the chewing system due to the teeth they carry and the functions they perform. The contact and relationship between the teeth (occlusion) is the fundamental purpose of this system. Conditions affecting the chewing muscles and the temporomandibular joint are either a result of this occlusion or directly affect it. Therefore, the primary field for examination and treatment of jaw pain is dentistry.
The field of maxillofacial surgery (internationally known as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) is the specialty branch of dentistry that undertakes surgical interventions targeting the jaw and facial complex. Therefore, oral surgeons (dentists) possess deep expertise in the differential diagnosis of jaw pain.
Furthermore, jaw pain is not only joint-related; it can also stem from conditions such as:
Dental infections,
Impacted teeth,
Jaw cysts and tumors.
Since all these conditions fall directly within the treatment area of oral surgeons, jaw pain is historically and medically a central topic in the discipline of dentistry. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Yüceer Çetiner