At MedCenter TMJ, Dr. Nathan Pettit, and our team are dedicated to using advanced technology to improve your oral health. Our dental practice focuses on diagnosing and treating TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the tissue that acts as a hinge between the temples and the lower jaw. Damage to this joint can impair the function of your mouth and cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, from ear ache to vertigo. The TMJ is a complex yet important joint. We use innovative tools to assess it and create customized treatment plans to suit our patients’ distinctive needs. In the following blog, discover how we can use vibration to better understand and improve your TMJ function.
Our BioJVA™ Technology
Our doctors are committed to patient education—we strive to keep patients informed, comfortable, and confident throughout every step of the process. When you come in to our practice, the first thing our team will do is examine your TMJ. We often use JVA (Joint Vibration Analysis) technology for this purpose. Specifically, we employ the BioJVA™ system. This innovative technology uses sensors that can measure minute changes in vibration at your jaw, generating your TMJ’s unique vibration “signature,” which will make a sound and appear on a chart.
Ideally, you should be able to move your mouth and activate your TMJ without producing much friction or vibration at all. Weaknesses, tears, and misalignment in the joint will produce much louder, longer, and more pronounced vibrations. BioJVA™ can help us determine not only if you suffer from TMD, but what type of disorder it is, based on your particular vibrations.
The Procedure
Learning more about your TMJ function with BioJVA™ is a simple, efficient, and minimally invasive process. When you come in, you’ll put on a special headset, placing its two sensors at either side of your upper jaw, directly in front of your ears. You’ll also wear a small box around your neck that helps collect information from the sensors. This device is connected to our computers, which will record your TMJ’s distinctive vibrations. Next, our doctors will instruct you to open and close your mouth several times so we can measure your joint in action. The BioJVA™ diagnostic procedure typically takes just a few minutes to complete.
What Happens Next?
After competing your BioJVA™ testing, Dr. Auvenshine or Dr. Pettit will interpret your vibrations and go over the results with you. If your TMJ appears to be functioning normally, you may carry on with the peace of mind that you’ve been blessed with a healthy jaw. However, if your doctor notices signs of disorder, he may recommend a TMD treatment plan. This could include a custom made oral appliance to keep your jaw in a healthier position during sleep, dietary changes, certain lifestyle modifications such as stress reduction techniques, or alternative treatments such as ultrasound therapy or TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). In all cases, Dr. Auvenshine and Dr. Pettit choose the most conservative treatment options available, avoiding surgery or other more intensive procedures unless absolutely necessary. We are committed to helping you manage your TMD to alleviate discomfort, restore function, and empower you with education about your oral health.
Learn More About Your TMJ with BioJVA™
If you are suffering from TMD symptoms or would like to learn more about your TMJ function, contact MedCenter TMJ today to schedule an appointment. We can use our sophisticated BioJVA™ system to learn more about your mouth with the power of vibration.
Original Source: https://www.medcentertmj.com/dental-technology/how-vibration-helps-us-understand-your-joints/