When a patient is suffering from TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), there are often noises emanating from the temporomandibular joints which indicate on-going tissue damage of the temporomandibular joint mechanism.

Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA), sonography, sonar, auscultation (stethoscope), and palpation are the usual ways of auditing these noises. However, JVA is the most accurate means of measuring these interferences in TMJoint function as it is the only method which allows the clinician to differentiate between sounds in the left joint, the right joint or whether there is independent sound or noise in both TMJoints. In addition, these major interferences can be accurately measured determining which tissues are being damaged. Henceforth we will refer to these TMJoint noises as MMI (Major Measured Interferences during TMJoint function).

This essential diagnostic protocol provides the clinician with a wealth of information as to the nature of the dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint.  Obviously this information is extremely helpful in determining not only how to treat the dysfunctional joint, but gives the clinician an insight into limitations of treatment.

ELECTRONIC BIO-INSTRUMENTATION TO OBJECTIVELY DOCUMENT COMPROMISED FUNCTION (DYSFUNCTION):

Joint Vibration Analysis during temporomandibular joint function measures intracapsular TM joint sounds, duration of these sounds, location of the occurrence of these sounds during jaw opening/closing or lateral excursions, and provides a spectral frequency analysis of the sound.  This objective functional testing readily differentiates normal temporomandibular joint function from compromised temporomandibular joint function.

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