Review symptoms: jaw pain, clicking, popping, locking, limited opening, headaches, ear pain, facial pain
Take medical and dental history
Perform physical examination of the jaw, face, neck, and bite
Palpate jaw muscles and TMJ for tenderness
Check jaw movement, opening range, and deviation
Listen for joint sounds during opening and closing
Examine teeth for wear, clenching, or grinding signs
Assess bite alignment and occlusion
Review stress, trauma, arthritis, and bruxism history
Order imaging if needed: panoramic X-ray, CT, MRI
Use MRI to evaluate soft tissues and disc position
Use CT to evaluate bone structure and joint changes
Consider referral to a dentist, oral surgeon, or TMJ specialist
Rule out other causes of facial pain and jaw symptoms
Diagnose based on combined symptoms, exam findings, and imaging results