A UK-based Maltese specialist has launched a new digital health app aimed at helping people manage chronic facial pain linked to jaw dysfunction, a condition that affects nearly one in three people globally.

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The app, XEDAQ, was developed by Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon Ross Elledge, a graduate of the University of Malta and now a leading figure in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the UK. The name is inspired by the Maltese word for jaw, xedaq.

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Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)—often overlooked despite their prevalence—can lead to jaw locking, difficulty chewing, and long-term pain. Some sufferers also report anxiety, sleep problems and depression. Elledge’s app doesn’t claim to cure the condition, but it offers daily support, tracking tools, and clinically backed advice to help people manage their symptoms and communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals.

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“We designed XEDAQ to give patients a voice and the tools to take ownership of their recovery,” Elledge said. “Too many people are told to just get on with it. This app is about helping them do that—while also feeling heard and supported.”

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Bridging The Gap In TMD Care

Elledge says the app fills a longstanding gap in care for TMD patients. Most are advised to try conservative management like jaw exercises, stress reduction, and diet changes—but little structured follow-up is provided.

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XEDAQ changes that by offering users a library of short videos, audio guides and articles that explain the condition and how to manage it. It includes daily questionnaires to help users track their pain, jaw function and emotional wellbeing over time. These self-assessments are saved within the app so that patients can refer to them during consultations with their healthcare providers. The platform also includes a searchable directory of jaw specialists based on the user’s location and provides practical advice on how to advocate for oneself more confidently during medical appointments.

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The tool is pitched not as a substitute for professional care but as a supplement to it—helping users stay engaged in their recovery and better prepared to speak to clinicians about what they’re experiencing.

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A Maltese Mind Behind A Global Tool

Elledge, a former St Aloysius College student, graduated top of his dental school class at the University of Malta in 2003 before moving to the UK. His career has since spanned both dental and medical fields, earning distinctions in surgery and education. Today, he holds a consultant post at University Hospitals Birmingham and is among the few UK surgeons performing complex jaw joint surgeries, including custom joint replacements.

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He founded Elledge Informatics in 2023 to explore how digital tools could improve patient care between visits. The company is clinician-led and focused on bridging the “episodic care” gap with everyday support tools—XEDAQ being its first major launch.

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From Jaw Pain To Self-Empowerment

Despite its technical features, the core idea behind XEDAQ is human-centred: make patients feel less alone, more informed, and more confident in their health journey

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“Technology can’t replace clinicians—but it can radically enhance how care is delivered,” Elledge said. “This is about using what’s already in people’s pockets—their smartphones—to put them back in the driving seat.”

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The app is now available in the UK and is expected to reach users in other countries soon. While it’s not a treatment in itself, early feedback suggests it could become an essential companion for anyone living with long-term jaw pain.

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