Advances in sonography of the temporomandibular joint

The term sonography is used to describe the technique for recording and interpreting sound. Several authors have used sonography to study the diverse sounds emitted from the temporomandibular joints of patients with facial pain and masticatory dysfunction. This article describes recent technologic advances in sonography that permit digital computerized recordings of joint sounds. In addition, a software package was developed to perform sound-power spectral analysis. Selected cases are described. The potential of this new technology is explored.