Experts at Newcastle University have helped develop a new app designed to support patients with jaw pain.
JawSpace is the first digital medical device dedicated to the self-management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Developed with the support of Newcastle University, the app aims to offer users scientifically-backed, user-friendly guidance for understanding and managing jaw and facial discomfort.
Justin Durham, professor of orofacial pain at Newcastle University and co-director of JawSpace, 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."
TMD affects around one in 15 people and can significantly reduce quality of life, with symptoms including jaw pain, clicking, and headaches.
The app offers a guided self-assessment to help users explore symptoms and contributing factors, then creates a personalised self-management plan.
It includes jaw exercises, relaxation techniques, thermal therapy, self-massage guidance, and habit tracking.
Other features include daily check-ins, reminders, and educational resources.
Designed for use at home or in clinical settings, the platform aims to make high-quality support available anytime, anywhere.
Alexandra Penn, founder and CEO of JawSpace®, said: "Our app exists to address a problem that has been overlooked for far too long.
"Millions live with TMD without access to clear, evidence-based guidance.
"We’re taking decades of research and making it usable for anyone, anywhere.
"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."
Early self-management can improve symptoms for as many as 90 per cent of TMD patients.
Hugo Dias, a specialist physiotherapist in TMD and orofacial pain, said: "The JawSpace app has become a key component of my clinical practice as it is a helpful resource for many of my patients.
"It supports the advice I discuss with my patients in clinic and gives them a clear way to engage with their self-management outside appointments.
"JawSpace is very intuitive and user-friendly.
"The feedback from patients has been great, as well as from other physiotherapists who have used it in their clinical practice."
The JawSpace® app recently won the national Dental Industry 2025 award for App of the Year. It was also shortlisted for both best brand and best website.
One user, 33-year-old Raisa O’Leary from London, described the impact TMD had on her life.
She said: "JawSpace has played an important role in helping me manage my TMD.
"It’s given me structure and practical tools, which has helped me feel more in control of my condition.
"The app has helped me become more aware of my symptoms through guided exercises, symptom tracking, and daily check-ins.
"This has made it easier to recognise patterns and respond early when I feel a flare-up coming on.
"I would recommend JawSpace® to anyone living with TMD.
"The condition can be challenging, both physically and emotionally, but having clear, accessible support has made self-management feel more achievable.
"It reassures me that I’m actively looking after my condition every day."
Share