Sonography utilizes a kinesograph to measure intracapsular TM Joint sounds against normalized data, duration of these sounds, exact location of the occurrence of these sounds during jaw opening/closing, or lateral excursions, and a spectral frequency analysis of the sound. Without this information, one could not restore function free of intracapsular interference resulting in decreased muscle tenderness on palpation, an increased range of motion free of restrictions and resolve patient complaints of pain.
A pair of ultra sensitive transducers are held in place by a lightweight headset over the temporomandibular joints. Vibrations from each joint during opening and closing of the mandible are monitored by the transducers, amplified and inputted into a computer for display, analysis and data storage. The joint sounds are analyzed by the computer in terms of amplitude and frequencies present relative to occurrence in the opening and closing cycles. It is a valuable adjunct used in conjunction with other clinical diagnostic modalities to confirm such conditions of joint pathology.
Below are sonography scans showing sound vibration recordings when the jaw is opened and closed.
Joint Pathology
Normal Quite Joint