TMD Questionnaire: Do I Have TMD & How Bad Is It?
This questionnaire assesses the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The TMD Questionnaire has 10 questions which can determine if you have TMD and, if so, how bad.
TMD results from pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ problems can have many causes; injury, joint problems, muscle problems and more. It is often associated with headaches and neck pain. As such, there are different methods of pain relief.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a collective term for a subgroup of painful disorders, involving complaints of pain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region and fatigue of the cranial, cervical, and facial muscles, especially the muscles of mastication (chewing)muscles, jaw or articular clicking and limitation of jaw motion. The causes may also be related to emotional stress, poor occlusion interferences, loss of teeth and postural changes. One or a combination of factors may exist.
The questionnaire can determine if you have this condition and how bad the jaw pain may be.
There is a high variability of the complaints, and TMD is diagnosed by associating symptoms and signs, some of which can be frequently seen even in a non-patient population. For problems not amenable with conservative treatments outlined at necksolutions, professional help should be sought.
CT scans can provide important information for treatment in resistant cases. Sometimes injections or even surgery may be necessary, however, many will be improved by changing personal habits, muscle therapy, addressing neck pain.
The questionnaire allows the collection of information in a relatively short period of time and at no cost, it is easy to understand and has no influence from an examiner. It should be the starting point for self assessment. Ranges of answers are from none, to mild, to severe. This can help determine the level of treatment sought. Conservative methods should be tried before surgery is considered and we have many methods here, however, one should not delay in seeking professional help if these methods do not produce results.
Symptom severity and its relationship to the presence of clinical signs can help determine patients with real treatment needs.
According to a 2021 study in The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice this questionnaire is an effective tool for screening the signs and symptoms of TMD and early detection will help in treatment planning and prognosis.
Based on Cranio. 2006 Apr;24(2):112-8. Anamnestic index severity and signs and symptoms of TMD.