Procedure

An MRI examination of the temporomandibular joint begins with its preparation. First of all, the physician informs the patient about the upcoming examination and about the possible risks of an MRI examination. It is not necessary to be fasting before the examination.

In some cases, contrast medium is administered through the vein to achieve better results. Since the MRI works with the help of a strong magnetic field, it is very important to remove all metal-containing parts of the body before entering the room. This includes piercings, jewelry, cell phone, credit card, etc.

The MRT is an elongated tube with a hole in the middle through which a couch passes. In an MRI of the temporomandibular joint, the patient is driven head first into the tube until approximately half of the upper body is inside the tube. When the MRI is on, it is usually very loud, which is why patients always wear hearing protection and headphones.

These headphones allow the examiner, who is outside the room, to communicate with the patient. Since the patients are allowed to move as little as possible, they are often fitted with a head frame, which allows the head to be precisely aligned and prevents it from moving. Especially for patients with claustrophobia this is a big problem. Under certain circumstances, the administration of sedatives is possible in advance.

Duration of the examination

An MRI of the temporomandibular joint usually takes about 15 minutes. However, the duration depends on the settings the examiner wants to have and on the patient’s cooperation. In addition, there is the preparation time, i.e. the patient’s undressing, positioning and evaluation of the images. In total, at least one hour should be planned for an MRI appointment.

Evaluation

In most cases, the evaluation is performed by an experienced radiologist. In some cases, experienced orthodontists can examine the MRT images themselves. The MRI provides a high number of sectional images in all 3 planes of the temporomandibular joint and the adjacent structures.

These are displayed and evaluated on a computer. Through the different planes a possible pathology can be localized precisely. In the temporomandibular joint, the doctor evaluates the joint surface, bone substance of the upper and lower jaw and the neighboring structures. Possible cysts or crooked teeth can also be diagnosed.