Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) Bridges the Gap between Clinical Procedures and Sophisticated TMJ Imaging

The advent of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) have made the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) far more definitive than the previous X-ray technologies. However, there is a large gap between what can be accomplished diagnostically in a clinical practice setting compared to utilizing these sophisticated imaging technologies. While the history and clinical examination procedures reveal important information, too often they are inadequate to arrive at even a tentative diagnosis of TMJ status. On the other hand, it is not economically feasible to prescribe MRI and/or CBCT imaging for every new patient and no universally accepted “Indications for Imaging” exist. Consequently, a need exists for a cost-effective bridge between the clinic procedures and these imaging technologies. For three decades a technology has evolved, Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA), which is rapidly implemented in thousands of clinics world-wide, is inexpensive to apply, can support a reliable tentative clinical diagnosis and can point to the need (or not) for further inquiry with either CBCT or MRI. JVA has evolved using artificial intelligence and sophisticated mathematics into a reliable indicator of good TMJ function with a specificity of 98 % (a 2 % false positive rate). This is the ideal characteristic of any screening tool, which may not be able to always identify the exact damage to the TMJ, but does not indicate a problem when no problem exists. In addition, JVA also is complementary, providing some information regarding the dynamic function of the TMJ that is not available from any imaging technology.