MRI Helps Diagnose TMJ
By Morris L. Gavant, M.D.  

Dr. Gavant is a Physician Partner of Advanced Radiology and Chairman of Radiology at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems can cause jaw or ear pain and limit motion or cause pain when opening or closing your mouth, often accompanied by clicking or grinding noises.  TMJ problems can damage the cartilage and bones that help your jawbone slide forward and backward smoothly.

Your dentist or maxillofacial surgeon may refer you for an MRI of your TMJ because regular dental X-rays don’t give a clear picture of the bone or the cartilage in the joint.  MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves with advanced computers to give your radiologist a detailed image of the TMJ and its cartilage.  The examination, which takes about twenty minutes, is painless and requires no X-ray radiation. Insurance plans will frequently cover the study if it’s considered medically necessary.

The Advanced Advantage

Advanced Radiology has been at the forefront of MRI scanning since the technology was introduced in the mid 1980s. The first in the Baltimore area to offer MRI, we have 16 MRIs at 10 locations including high field magnets and open magnets to provide the most advanced diagnostic capabilities available.

Call us at 1-888-972-9700 or click here to learn more about MRI.