A TMJ MRI can sound ominous, but it is a simple scan that we perform multiple times a day! The MRI scans your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), looking for disorders and diagnosing any temporomandibular joint dysfunction, helping you get the right treatment.
Finding out what happens during a TMJ MRI or how to prepare for it can be tricky, especially with many conflicting answers online. That’s where we come in to show you how a TMJ MRI works and what you should expect during your scan.
How Does TMJ MRI Work?
A TMJ MRI works like other MRI scans. You are placed in a large scanner, which looks like a long tube, to have images taken of your temporomandibular joint, the joint in your jaw. The scan will also look at the inside of your mouth and jaw, looking at your jaw muscles, teeth, mandible, and cartilage discs.
The scan works by using radio waves and a magnetic field to take detailed images which are transferred to a computer. Here, we can analyse the scans to help diagnose you and provide a treatment plan. The scan can take between thirty and sixty minutes, but it can take longer depending on what we are looking for with the MRI.
Learn more about getting an MRI scan at Mermaid beach radiology clinic.
Why Might You Need A TMJ MRI?
There are several reasons why you might need a TMJ MRI, usually to diagnose joint dysfunction and help create a treatment plan you can follow. Typically, a TMJ MRI is recommended for the following reasons:
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To detect abnormalities like inflammation, disc displacement, degenerative disc, and bone deformations
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To see your soft tissue structures, like the synovial membrane, articular disc, and lateral pterygoid muscle
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To determine whether surgery is needed to rectify issues with your TMJ
So, what symptoms might you have for your doctor to recommend a TMJ MRI? Patients usually have one or a mixture of the following symptoms when they book their TMJ MRI:
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Loose teeth
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Painful popping or clicking in your jaw
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Stuff jaw muscles
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Pain near your ear
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Difficulty speaking or swallowing
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Pain in your neck, face, or jaw
You should speak to your doctor if you are suffering from any of these symptoms to see whether a TMJ MRI is the right option for you.
How To Prepare For A TMJ MRI?
You won’t notice any disruption to your life, as you can eat and drink as normal before the scan. You can also take all usual medication before the scan, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Contrast dye is often needed for a TMJ MRI, as it helps to show inflammation and diagnose other conditions. The contrast dye is usually administered through an IV and your vein and will be done when you arrive for your MRI. You should let us know if you have had an allergic reaction to contrast dye before. You might need to contact your doctor to get some medication that can be taken before the dye is administered.
You should also let us know beforehand if you are anxious or suffer from claustrophobia. Your doctor might provide you with a mild sedative, which will be taken before the scan.
Before your MRI, you will need to remove any jewellery, piercings, or other metals. Metals that are inside your body, like pacemakers or metal plates, can sometimes heat up, causing pain and difficulties during an MRI. Let us know if you have any beforehand so we can ensure you have the right scan.
For a TMJ MRI, you don’t need to change into a hospital gown if you don’t want to. You can wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing, but there must be no metal on them, like zippers. We do have space for you to store your clothing and valuables if you do need to change into a hospital gown for the scan.
What To Expect From A TMJ MRI
During The Scan
You will be asked to lie on your back on the exam table directly outside the MRI scanner. You might be moved into a position or asked to turn your head to the side for a better view of your jaw joint. Usually, you will need to lie on your back with your face in a neutral position. You need to stay still during your MRI as movements can cause the images to blur, making it difficult for us to analyse the scans.
When you are ready, the table will slide into the MRI scanner and the scan begins. It can be very loud, with humming and clunking sounds, but do not panic; this is normal. We can provide you with headphones or earphones to reduce the noise and keep you comfortable. We can also speak to you throughout the scan using the microphone and speaker, reassuring you when needed and explaining the process to you.
The scan will last between thirty and sixty minutes as the scanner takes images of your TMJ and surrounding cartilage. Sometimes, the scan can take longer, but we will let you know before and during the scan how long it will take.
After The Scan
There is very little aftercare involved with a TMJ MRI, allowing you to return to your usual activities. You can usually leave immediately after your scan, with many patients returning to work or school. If you have been given a mild sedative before the scan, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home while the effects wear off.
Once the scan is over, we will start analysing your scans to provide you with a diagnosis or treatment plan. You will either be told your results over the phone or you will be invited back for a follow-up appointment. During this appointment, we will run through your results in detail and help you decide your next steps. We aim to provide you with your results quickly, but it can take up to two weeks during busy periods. We will let you know after your scan how long your results will take and provide you with any updates along the way.
What Are The Benefits Of A TMJ MRI?
A TMJ MRI comes with several benefits, allowing you to get the results you need quickly and safely. Our favourite benefits are listed below:
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MRIs give you high-quality images of your jaw in both closed and open mouth positions to analyse your function and any abnormalities
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MRIs are non-invasive and free from radiation, making them a safe scan for most patients
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MRIs can detect the early signs of TMJ dysfunction, providing you access to treatment sooner and reducing painful symptoms
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MRIs can show the functionality of your joint, helping us to learn more about it and its operations
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MRIs can show soft tissue structures, helping us to learn more about your TMJ joint and how it operates with other structures
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MRIs can help to assess your condition, allowing us to track its progress and whether treatment is working
What Are The Risks Of A TMJ MRI?
While MRIs are considered safe, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of before your TMJ MRI, which we have listed below for you.
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MRIs are not recommended for women during the first trimester of pregnancy unless the need outweighs the potential risks
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MRIs can be dangerous for anyone with metal in their body, but they can sometimes be performed
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MRIs can cause anxiety, especially if you suffer from anxiety or claustrophobia
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MRIs can cause some discomfort, especially if an IV is used
Book Your TMJ MRI With Mermaid Beach Radiology
A TMJ MRI doesn’t need to be a confusing phrase that you hear at your doctor’s appointment anymore. It is a simple scan that helps us to learn more about your TMJ joint, diagnose disorders and disc displacement, providing you with the treatment you need. Contact us today for a quick turnaround and the MRI scan you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Contrast For A TMJ MRI?
Sometimes, a contrast dye is needed for a TMJ MRI. You will likely need contrast dye if you have needed it for previous MRI scans or we need to see your vessels and soft tissue in closer detail.
We will let you know beforehand if contrast dye is needed and walk you through how it is administered. There are little side effects with contrast dye, so you don’t need to worry about it impacting your aftercare.
Can I Eat And Drink Before A TMJ MRI?
Yes, you can eat and drink as normal before your TMJ MRI. You don’t need to change your schedule or restrict yourself before the MRI, making it easy to fit into your routine.
Do I Need To Change Positions During a TMJ MRI?
We might ask you to open and close your mouth during your MRI, allowing us to gather more images. This helps us assess the function of your jaw and its joint and can help us give you a diagnosis. We will let you know when we need you to make the movement, and you don’t need to worry about moving other parts of your body.
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