History: A 32-year-old office worker, has been experiencing intermittent pain in her jaw for the past 3 months. The pain is most noticeable when she is chewing or speaking, and sometimes she feels a clicking or popping sound when she moves her jaw. She also reports occasional headaches and a feeling of fullness in her ears. The pain is localized around her left temporomandibular joint (TMJ) but occasionally radiates to her temples.

She denies any recent trauma to the face or jaw, but she has been feeling increasingly stressed due to work pressure and personal matters. She has a habit of clenching her teeth, especially during sleep, and has noticed a slight change in her bite over the past month. Her symptoms have gradually worsened over time.

The patient has no significant medical history and takes no regular medications. She occasionally takes over-the-counter pain relievers for her headaches.

Tenderness over the left temporomandibular joint.

Limited range of motion of the jaw, with pain upon opening wide.

Audible clicking or popping sound during jaw movement.

No signs of acute infection or inflammation.

Based on the history and physical exam, she is diagnosed with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), a condition often associated with jaw clenching, stress, and misalignment of the temporomandibular joint.

The patient is advised to avoid excessive jaw movements and to use warm compresses for pain relief. She is referred to a dentist for evaluation of her bite and possible use of a night guard. A stress management plan is recommended, along with regular follow-up to assess her symptoms.