TMJ Radiography

Jon K. Park, D.D.S., M.S. University of Maryland School of

Dentistry Department of Oral Medicine

Baltimore, MD 21201

TMJ Radiography Radiographs Used

Panoramic Lateral Transcranial Transmaxillary PA Towne Tomogram

Lateral PA Tomo

CT MRI

TMJ Radiography

Panoramic Used as a “scout” film

TMJ radiographs

Lateral Transcranial Generally taken in “rest, closed, and open”

positions Shows condylar morphology, lateral aspect Not good for evaluation of condylar

position

TMJ radiography

Transmaxillary Taken in open position Evaluates the superior aspect of the

condyles from medial to lateral Taken through orbit, AP view

Lateral Transcranial

Use TMJ Board X-ray tube position

11 deg. Down 1 in above and 1 inch behind EAM Align with opposite condyle

TMJ radiography

PA Towne Taken in the “open” position Evaluates medial and lateral poles of

condyle Patient must be able to open adequately

for this film to be of any use

TMJ Tomogram

Lateral Evaluates condylar position and condylar

morphology

Lateral, Open view Evaluates condylar translation

PA Tomogram

TMJ CT and MRI

CT Evaluates osseous and soft tissue

components Generally does not show the meniscus

MRI Good for assessing the meniscus and soft

tissue

TMJ Arthrography

Demonstrates meniscus Must be done under fluoroscopy Radiopaque dye injection

Contraindicated with iodine sensitive patients

Lateral transcranial radiograph

Closed Open Rest

Lateral Transcranial – closed view

Transpharyngeal (Parma) view

MRI

MRI - TMJ

Flattening of the condyle

TMJ Radiography

Jon K. Park, D.D.S., M.S. University of Maryland School of

Dentistry Department of Oral Medicine

Baltimore, MD 21201