Yes. CT scans—especially dental cone‑beam CT or standard CT—accurately show TMJ bony structures: condyle shape, joint space, fractures, osteoarthritic changes and ankylosis. CT is poor for soft tissues and the articular disc; MRI is preferred for disc position, inflammation and soft‑tissue pathology. CT arthrography can add soft‑tissue detail but involves contrast and radiation, so choice depends on the clinical question.

MRI is the best scan for TMJ when evaluating internal derangement, disc position, soft‑tissue injury, inflammation, and joint effusion. CT or cone‑beam CT is preferred for detailed bony anatomy, fractures, or osteoarthritic change. Plain radiographs are limited. Your clinician will select MRI versus CT based on whether soft‑tissue or bone assessment is required and your clinical symptoms.

Yes. CBCT provides high‑resolution 3D images of TMJ bony structures (condyle, fossa, joint space), making it useful to detect fractures, degenerative changes, osteophytes, ankylosis and for surgical planning. However, it has poor soft‑tissue contrast and cannot reliably show the articular disc or inflammation; MRI remains the gold standard for disc displacement and soft‑tissue assessment.

You usually cannot see the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) itself because it lies deep in front of the ear, but TMJ problems can cause visible signs on the face. These include swelling, asymmetry, jaw deviation when opening, muscle bulging or hollowing around the jaw, and changes in facial expression. Pain, clicking, locking or limited mouth opening warrant clinical evaluation.

TMJ is diagnosed by clinical examination (jaw motion, pain, locking, joint sounds) plus imaging when needed: panoramic X‑ray or TMJ radiographs, cone‑beam CT for bony detail, and MRI to assess the disc and soft tissues. Dental occlusion assessment and bite analysis help; blood tests or joint aspiration exclude infection/inflammation. Arthroscopy may be used for unclear or surgical cases.

The newest TMJ treatments focus on minimally invasive regenerative injections—platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid—and targeted botulinum toxin injections for muscle-related pain. These aim to reduce inflammation, promote tissue healing, and improve jaw function. Typically used when conservative measures fail, they show promising but still emerging evidence and are offered by specialist maxillofacial or pain clinics.