Stop taking OPGs/Panoral radiographs for TMD…they have limited benefit! In this episode I discuss the Piper Classification of TMJ with Dr Jim McKee from the Spear faculty. We also cover exactly when and why imaging of the TMJ may be beneficial (MRIs and CBCTs). I have found the Piper classification easy to implement and I hope this episode helps you understand it.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Observe the patient’s path of opening. If someone’s jaw opening makes a ‘V’ shape, that’s a DEVIATION. If someone’s jaw opens, and then it goes all the way to one side, and it doesn’t go back to the middle, that’s a DEFLECTION.

If you want to Download the PDF version of the Piper Classification of TMJ Infographic we made, click here!

Dr Jim McKee is part of Spear Education – a platform that has taught me so much of my occlusion.

In this episode I asked Dr. Jim McKee:

If you enjoyed this episode, check out TMJ Physiotherapy – When to Refer and How They can Help 

Check out SPEAR EDUCATION, a two-day seminar, where Dr. Jim McKee teaches 25% of the course!