The following symptoms and complaints may indicate craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD):
- Toothache
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Facial and jaw pain
- Unclear bite position
- Temporomandibular joint noises
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Otalgia (earache)
- Vertigo (dizziness)
Symptoms can originate from the teeth as well as the temporomandibular joints and muscles. It should be noted that the symptoms are nonspecific and other, possibly more serious diseases, which could also be a cause, should be excluded.Teeth
- Parafunctions – grinding, pressing.
Jaw
- Tightness in the muscles of the jaw and face.
- Chewing difficulties
Bite
- Unclear bite position
- Fixation on disturbed biting sensation (hypervigilance).
TMJ
- Osteoarthritis due to prolonged, non-physiological stresses
- Disc displacement (displacement of the intervertebral disc)
- Temporomandibular joint cracking, grinding and rubbing.
Ears
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear)
- Hearing loss
Eyes
- Pain
- Flicker
- Diplopia (double vision, double images)
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Head and neck
- Cephalgia (headache)
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Facial pain
- Painful scalp
- Feeling of pressure in the head
Neck
- Hoarseness
- Sore throat
- Frequent throat clearing
- “Lump in the throat”
- Speech disorders
Body
- Extension of tension to the extremities.
- Back and joint pain
Psyche
- Depression with disgruntlement, restlessness, anxiety.
- Insomnia (sleep disorders)
- Mood swings