Joint Vibration Analysis

When bite analysis or muscle tenderness exam suggest there's damage inside the jaw joint, I'll use the Joint Vibration Analysis machine. The JVA looks like a set of headphones, but instead of placing it so that the patient listens to music, the headphones record the sounds inside the patient's jaw joint. A healthy joint will make very little friction and produce no sound. The interpretation of the vibration indicates the type of damage that's inside the joint. Some damage is considered stable, while other vibrations suggest degeneration. Prior to making a final diagnosis, other imaging, like a CT scan or an MRI may be necessary. Mounted study models provides a three dimensional blueprint for visualizing and addressing and imbalanced bite. In many cases I will initiate bite splint therapy, since it is a conservative and completely reversible treatment option that results in immediate improved patient comfort.