Digital phonoarthrometry of temporomandibular joint sounds: a preliminary report

A new technique is presented for recording and evaluating the dysfunctional TMJ sounds on an objective basis. The physical implications related to TMJ phonoarthrometry (PAM) are discussed and three cases are presented. The phonoarthrography and the digital phonoarthrometry presented in this paper can be a useful harmless diagnostic tool. Differential diagnosis of TMJ pathology is possible on the basis of an acoustical analysis and it is hoped that future investigation will confirm these observations.