When we order a CT scan or panoramic (full mouth) X-ray, your TMJ is visible on the image. We use this information during your exam to evaluate your jaw anatomy, function, and screen for signs of disorders.
If you have a TMJ condition related to joint deterioration, anatomical anomalies, or some type of degenerative disc disease, there will likely be visible signs of the condition on your CT scan/X-ray.
However, a physical examination is still necessary. We’ll feel either side of your jaw as you open and close, checking for atypical movement and signs of TMJ disorder. Some of these conditions aren’t visible on an X-ray, but the images help to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation at hand. For instance, muscle strain because of bruxism (clenching and grinding) won’t show up on an X-ray, but it might on a CT scan or during your exam.