Jaw pain 1 article

Jaw pain becomes relevant when history of locking, trauma, swelling, neurologic symptoms or persistent limitation changes the urgency and referral pathway. In assessment, it represents pain arising in or around the jaw, temporomandibular region or muscles used for chewing. Assessment considers jaw movement, muscle tenderness, joint symptoms, dental sources and referred facial pain rather than assuming a single temporomandibular diagnosis, whereas the complaint differs from isolated toothache because movement and masticatory function may be central features.