CBCT Upper & Lower Jaw:

Traditional computed tomography (CT) systems are modified with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Dental experts employ CBCT devices that circle around the patient and capture data with a cone-shaped X-ray beam.

An x-ray source and detector are mounted to a revolving gantry, which allows for imaging. Ionizing radiation from a divergent pyramidal or cone-shaped source is directed through the centre of the area of interest and onto an area x-ray detector on the opposite side.

Disease Overview

TMJ disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull and serves as a sliding hinge. On either side of your jaw, there is a joint. TMJ problems, which are a kind of TMD, can cause discomfort in the jaw joint and the muscles that govern jaw movement.

Disease Signs and Symptoms:

• Tenderness or pain in your jaw.
• One or both temporomandibular joints are painful.
• The pain in and around your ear is excruciating.
• Chewing difficulty or discomfort during chewing.
• Aching ache in the face.
• The joint becomes locked, making it difficult to open or close the mouth.

Disease Causes:

Injury to the jaw joints or surrounding tissues might result in TMJ dysfunction. Other factors that contribute to TMJ condition include 

• bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching).
• The disc between the ball and socket joint dislocates.
• TMJ arthritis is a kind of arthritis that affects the jaw joint.
• Stress.
• Acute trauma
• An incorrect bite.

Disease Diagnosis:

Your symptoms will be discussed, and your jaw will be examined by your doctor or dentist. He or she will most likely:

• When you open and close your mouth, pay attention to and feel your jaw.
• Examine your jaw's range of motion.
• To find regions of pain or discomfort around your jaw, press on them.
• CT scan to offer detailed images of the bones involved in the joint MRI to detect abnormalities with the joint's disc or surrounding soft tissue Dental X-rays to evaluate your teeth and jaw CT scan to provide detailed images of the bones involved in the joint
  
• TMJ arthroscopy is occasionally used to diagnose TMJ disorders. A short thin tube (cannula) is placed into the joint space during TMJ arthroscopy, and a small camera (arthroscope) is then inserted to observe the region and assist identify a diagnosis.

Disease Treatment:

TMJ dysfunction symptoms may go away without therapy in certain circumstances. If your symptoms persist, your doctor may suggest a number of therapy alternatives, typically more than one to be used simultaneously.

Medications

These pharmaceutical choices, in combination with other nonsurgical therapies, may help ease the discomfort associated with TMJ disorders:

Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.

Antidepressants that are tricyclic. These drugs are usually used for depression, although they can also be used for pain relief, bruxism management, and insomnia in small dosages.

Muscle relaxants are drugs that relax the muscles. These medications are sometimes taken for a few days or weeks to help reduce discomfort produced by muscle spasms in the TMJ.

Therapies

The following are examples of non-drug treatments for TMJ disorders:

Mouth guards or oral splints (occlusal appliances). People with jaw discomfort frequently benefit from having a soft or firm device implanted over their teeth, although the reasons for this are not fully understood.

Physical therapy is a type of treatment that involves the use of Treatments may involve ultrasound, moist heat, and cold, in addition to exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles.

Counseling. Education and therapy can help you recognise and prevent the conditions and habits that worsen your pain. Teeth clenching or grinding, leaning on your chin, and chewing fingernails are all examples.

Surgical and non-surgical procedures

If alternative measures fail, your doctor may recommend surgeries such as:

Arthrocentesis. It is a minimally invasive treatment in which tiny needles are inserted into the joint to allow fluid to be irrigated through the joint to remove debris and inflammatory byproducts.

Injections. Corticosteroid injections into the joint may be beneficial for certain patients. Injecting botulinum toxin type A (Botox, others) into the chewing muscles can reduce discomfort linked with TMJ issues on a rare occasion.

Arthroscopy of the TMJ. In certain circumstances, arthroscopic surgery can be just as beneficial as open joint surgery in treating various forms of TMJ issues. A short thin tube (cannula) is introduced into the joint space, followed by an arthroscope and small surgical tools.

TMJ arthroscopy carries less risks and consequences than open joint surgery, but it does have certain drawbacks.

Condylotomy that has been modified. The TMJ is addressed indirectly with modified condylotomy, which involves surgery on the jaw but not the joint itself. It may be beneficial in the treatment of pain and the prevention of locking.

Open-joint surgery is a procedure that involves the removal of a joint. Your doctor or dentist may recommend open-joint surgery (arthrotomy) to repair or replace the joint if your jaw discomfort does not respond to more conservative therapies and appears to be caused by a structural issue in the joint. However, open-joint surgery has higher risks than other operations and should be carefully selected after examining the benefits and drawbacks. is a procedure that involves the removal of a joint. Your doctor or dentist may recommend open-joint surgery (arthrotomy) to repair or replace the joint if your jaw discomfort does not respond to more conservative therapies and appears to be caused by a structural issue in the joint. However, open-joint surgery has higher risks than other operations and should be carefully selected after examining the benefits and drawbacks.