A newly developed app has been described as ‘the world’s first digital medical device dedicated to empowering and supporting people living with TMD’.
The Jawspace app was developed in collaboration with experts at Newcastle University to help sufferers of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) manage their symptoms.
Users are provided with research-based self-management guidance to help them understand their symptoms, including pain, jaw clicking and headaches.
The app features a guided self-assessment to help users identify symptoms and contributing factors. They then receive a tailored self-management plan, including tools such as jaw exercises and relaxation techniques, thermal therapy, self-massage guidance, symptom and habit tracking, coping strategies and educational resources.
The ‘cornerstone’ of effective TMD treatment
Justin Durham, is a professor of orofacial pain at Newcastle University and co-director/chief clinical and scientific officer at Jawspace. He said: ‘Temporomandibular disorders affect millions of people worldwide, yet for decades, patients have faced a frustrating reality: fragmented care, inconsistent advice, and a lack of practical support between clinic visits.
‘At Newcastle University, our research has shown time and again that self-management is not just helpful, it is the cornerstone of effective treatment. But evidence alone isn’t enough. Patients need tools that translate that science into something usable, accessible, and empowering in their daily lives.
‘That’s why Jawspace is so exciting as it represents a genuine step change in how we support self-management. By combining rigorous research with cutting-edge digital technology, we’re creating a platform that doesn’t just inform patients – it actively supports them, guides them, and gives them confidence to take control of their condition.’
‘Clear, credible support’
Alexandra Penn, CEO and founder of Jawspace, said: ‘Jawspace was designed to sit alongside in-chair dental care, extending evidence-based TMD support beyond the appointment. By giving patients structured tools between visits, it creates a clear point of difference for dental practices that patients notice.’
According to the app’s developers, TMD can cause a reduction in quality of life of up to 30%. However, between 75% and 90% of patients improve their condition with early self-management.
Alexandra added: ‘The science has always been here; what’s been missing is a way for people to access it. We’re building the tools that should have existed long ago, so people everywhere can finally find clear, credible support.’
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