X-Ray TMJ (Lat / Obl View) Test

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that joins the jaws with the temporal bones of the skull. You may have heard about the TMJ disorder that is associated with the pain in the jawline, in your face muscle and near your ear. Most of the time, this disorder occurs due to problems in the muscles and the jaw in the face. The typical symptoms that are associated with TMJ disorder are the pain in the face, jaw or ear, headaches, earaches, pain and pressure behind the eyes, a clicking or popping sound when opening or closing the mouth, place, tenderness of the jaw muscles and swelling of the face. In such conditions to have the proper diagnosis of disease, an X-ray is used.

There are no special preparations required before the test. All you need to do it stay in touch with your dentists and ask him about the special instructions that you should follow. The guidelines will be based on your medical history regarding any face injury or any special treatment around your skull or face. During the test, you may be asked to wear a lead apron so that the harmful radiations of the x-rays don’t affect the body.

The x-ray of the TMJ area is taken for the proper diagnosis of the problems associated with the pain
or trauma.
1. It is used to see if there are any structural abnormalities present or not.
2. It is solely dependent on the image that has come from the different views such as Adult
Lateral Oblique - Closed Mouth and open mouth.
3. Both of these conditions are visualised to know the exact reason behind the uneasiness of
the patient.
4. Based on all these images the actual cause is detected, and treatment is started.

The x-ray is done from different angles and directions to get the different views. It is done with both
open and closed mouth position.
1. You will be seated upright with the side of interest closest to the machine.
2. The head is placed in the true lateral position with IPL (inter-Pupillary Line) perpendicular
and Mid-Sagittal Plane parallel to the detector.
3. Depending on the projection (open mouth or closed mouth), you will be instructed open
your mouth side and keep it there or keep it shut.