Computed tomography of the facial bones and temporomandibular joints
Facial Bones and TMJ CT Scan in Casablanca
The facial skeleton is made up of the bones of the face: sinuses, nasal cavities, cheekbones and jaws. The TMJs (temporomandibular joints), located in front of the ears, allow you to open and close your mouth. This CT scan uses X-rays to obtain thin slices of these bones, reconstructed in three dimensions if needed. It is used to examine sinusitis that lasts, a facial fracture or jaw pain, most often without injection.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
The exam usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, a few minutes more when the TMJs are studied with the mouth open and closed.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE Revolution
When is this exam needed?
- Chronic or recurrent sinusitis, or assessment before sinus surgery.
- Nose blocked on one side only, polyps or deviated nasal septum.
- Blow to the face with suspected fracture of the nose, cheekbone or jaw.
- Jaw pain, clicking or locking suggesting a TMJ disorder.
- Limited mouth opening or facial asymmetry to be investigated.
How the exam is done
Before you are positioned, you remove glasses, earrings, nose or lip piercings and removable dentures. Lying on your back with your head supported in a head rest, you keep your face looking straight up so that both sides can be compared.
For the sinuses or the facial bones, a series of a few seconds is usually enough: breathe calmly through your nose without swallowing. For the TMJs, two series are usually taken, mouth closed with teeth together, then mouth wide open, sometimes with a small block between the teeth, to see how the joint moves. Keeping your mouth open may be a little uncomfortable, but the exam is not painful.
Preparation
- Remove removable dentures, mouth guards and removable orthodontic appliances.
- Remove nose, lip and tongue piercings.
- For chronic sinusitis, follow your doctor's instructions: the exam is generally done well after any cold.
- Tell us about crowns, fixed braces or dental implants, which may cause streaks on the images.
Fasting
No fasting is needed, even if an injection is planned. Drink normally.
Contrast injection
Most CT scans of the face and TMJs are done without a contrast agent. An injection of iodinated contrast agent into a vein in the arm may be decided if a complicated infection, an abscess or a mass is being looked for.
Contraindications and precautions
- Previous reaction to an iodinated contrast agent: tell us when you book; a preparation or another exam may be offered.
- Diabetes treated with metformin, or kidney disease: please tell us. Depending on your kidney function, the radiologist will tell you whether metformin should be paused after the injection. Bring a recent creatinine test if you are asked to.
- Thyroid disorder: to be mentioned before any injection.
- Current or possible pregnancy: you must tell us before the exam. A CT scan uses X-rays: it is performed during pregnancy only if it is essential.
- Breastfeeding: please tell us. It is generally not necessary to stop breastfeeding after an iodinated contrast injection.
- Locked or very painful jaw: let us know, the open-mouth series will be adapted.
Documents to bring
- Prescription (ENT specialist, maxillofacial surgeon, dentist or family doctor)
- Previous X-rays, dental panoramic X-ray or facial CT scans
- List of your medications
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
- Recent kidney function test, only if an injection is planned
Price and insurance coverage
The price of the CT scan of the facial bones and TMJs depends on the area examined (whole face or temporomandibular joints) and on an iodinated contrast injection that is rarely needed.
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Why study the TMJs with the mouth open and closed?
With the mouth closed, the images show the resting position of the condyle (the rounded end of the lower jaw); with the mouth open, they show how far it moves. The comparison helps understand locking or clicking. The joint disc itself is seen more clearly on MRI.
Should the sinus CT scan be done during a bout of sinusitis?
For chronic sinusitis, it is often requested after medical treatment, well after a cold, so that a temporary inflammation is not mistaken for a lasting condition. In case of worrying signs (swollen eye, high fever), the doctor may on the contrary request it quickly.
What is the difference from a cone beam CT or a dental panoramic X-ray?
A panoramic X-ray is a flat image of both jaws, and cone beam CT is a three-dimensional exam focused on the teeth and the jawbone. A CT scan of the facial bones covers a wider area (sinuses, orbits, skull base) and also shows the soft tissues.
Is the X-ray dose high for the face?
The facial bones and the air in the sinuses naturally have high contrast, which often allows low-dose settings to be used. The dose remains limited and adapted to the question asked. Tell us about any pregnancy and bring your previous exams to avoid unnecessary images.
Facial Bones and TMJ CT Scan in Casablanca: how much does it cost?
The price of the CT scan of the facial bones and TMJs depends on the area examined (whole face or temporomandibular joints) and on an iodinated contrast injection that is rarely needed. The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.