Do You Have A Noisy Jaw?
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) is vital for diagnosing TMJ disorders. This handy test picks up any noise or vibrations the jaw joint makes as it moves. A healthy jaw joint should move smoothly, without popping, clicking, or grinding, and have full range of motion. A JVA is a non-invasive screening we perform in our office to properly diagnose you if we suspect you have TMD.
What is Joint Vibration Analysis?
JVA is an indispensable diagnostic screening that gives us essential information about a patient’s jaw joint function. The device looks a little bit like a Walkman from the 1980s. There is a small box that hangs around your neck where we plug in a headset with microphones on either side. You won’t hear any music coming from the JVA device, though. Instead, as you open and close your mouth 6 times, the microphones on the headset record the noises the TMJ makes. The entire test takes only about 10 minutes and is completely painless.
What the JVA Tells Us
Joints should not make noise when they move, so if a joint in your body pops, clicks, or grinds when it moves, that means it is misaligned or has deteriorated. This holds true for the jaw joint as well. If it is out of alignment, it may click or pop when you open your mouth. If the cartilage that cushions the joint has deteriorated, it will make a different sound. A JVA measures the sounds the jaw joint makes as it moves. This, along with other data we gather, helps us better understand the nature and severity of your TMJ disorder so we can properly diagnose and treat you.
Do You Need a JVA?
You may need a JVA if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Clicking and popping when you open your mouth
- Jaw locking open or closed
- Difficulty opening wide
- Pain when chewing/difficulty chewing
- Frequent jaw tightness, tension, or tenderness
- Chronic ear, neck, or face pain
- Headaches with no apparent cause
We will recommend a JVA in our office, along with other tests, so we can make a proper diagnosis and create an appropriate treatment plan for you.
If you are concerned about your jaw joint function because you experience symptoms of TMD or have already been told you have TMD and are seeking treatment, please reach out to TMJ Treatment, located in London, Ontario, for more information and to schedule your consultation.