At Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea, our goal is to uncover the why behind your jaw pain, headaches, or bite discomfort—not just to manage symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of lasting relief.
Our TMJ and sleep practice in Lee’s Summit, led by Dr. Larry Pribyl, DDS, and Dr. Jim Kleoppel, DDS, combines decades of experience in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, facial pain, and sleep-related breathing issues. Our approach combines advanced diagnostic technology with a conservative, whole-body philosophy to help you get TMJ relief. The more precisely we can see how your jaw, muscles, and airway work together, the better we can tailor your care.
Our Philosophy: Conservative, Data-Driven TMJ Care
When you’re living with jaw pain, popping, or constant tension headaches, you need more than a guess. We take a scientific yet patient-friendly approach to uncover what’s happening beneath the surface.
“Conservative care” means we start with the least invasive, most effective options—using detailed measurements to plan and monitor every step. By combining technology with hands-on expertise, we create treatment plans that are accurate, gentle, and long-lasting.
At our office, your diagnosis is not just based on what you feel, but on measurable data that helps us understand precisely what your joints, muscles, and bite are doing.
What To Expect at Your TMJ Evaluation
An evaluation at our Lee’s Summit office is designed to be thorough, comfortable, and personalized. You’ll never feel rushed or left in the dark.
During your first visit, we:
- Discuss your health and dental history in detail, including headaches, jaw pain, ear fullness, and bite changes
- Examine your jaw movement, muscles, and teeth for tenderness, imbalance, or clicking
- Evaluate posture, airway concerns, and bite alignment
- Use diagnostic technology such as Galileos 3D CT, K-7 jaw tracking and EMG, T-Scan bite analysis, or pharyngometer/rhinometer airway testing based on your needs
This process enables us to identify the underlying causes of your discomfort and develop a personalized plan that aligns with your unique physiology and lifestyle.
3D CBCT Imaging: Seeing Joints, Airways, and Sinuses
We use Galileos 3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) to take a precise, low-dose 3D scan of your head and neck. This imaging helps us view your jaw joints, airway, and supporting structures from every angle.
With this technology, we can see:
- The exact condition of your temporomandibular joints
- The spacing, symmetry, and position of the jaw bones
- Airway dimensions and sinus anatomy
- Potential bone wear, degeneration, or inflammation
CBCT gives us a visual roadmap for treatment. We can rule out structural damage, plan appliances with confidence, and track progress over time.
K-7 Jaw Tracking, EMG, and Joint Sonography
The K-7 system provides a window into how your jaw moves and how hard your muscles work. This technology measures jaw motion, muscle activity, and joint sounds, providing us with objective data that helps explain your symptoms.
Jaw Tracking: Measuring How Your Jaw Moves
By tracking how your jaw opens, closes, and shifts, we can spot restrictions, asymmetries, or deviations that often contribute to pain or clicking.
We look for:
- Smoothness and balance during movement
- Range of motion and any limitations
- Signs of instability or misalignment
These findings help us design orthotics or exercises that restore healthy, coordinated movement.
Surface EMG: Seeing Muscle Overload in Real Time
Surface EMG (electromyography) measures how your muscles behave at rest and during function. It helps us identify overworked or fatigued muscles that may be causing your pain or tension.
We use this data to:
- Pinpoint which muscles are overloaded
- Guide relaxation and TENS therapy settings
- Confirm improvements after treatment adjustments
Joint Sonography: Listening for Joint Sounds
Sonography allows us to “hear” the TMJ in motion. Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds often indicate disc displacement or joint stress.
By matching sound patterns with CBCT and motion data, we can determine whether your discomfort is caused by muscle strain, joint compression, or both—and plan accordingly.
Digital Bite Analysis With T-Scan
A balanced bite is essential for stability. Even small discrepancies in tooth contact can overload joints and muscles. T-Scan digital bite analysis measures how and when your teeth touch with incredible precision.
We use T-Scan to:
- Identify premature or uneven bite contacts
- Analyze how force is distributed between sides
- Fine-tune orthotics and bite adjustments for maximum comfort
This technology eliminates the guesswork of balancing your bite, enabling us to ensure that your treatment protects both your teeth and your joints.
Airway Assessment: Pharyngometer and Rhinometer
Your airway health plays a crucial role in pain. The pharyngometer and rhinometer help us measure oral and nasal airway volume and resistance—factors that can influence jaw tension and clenching.
These quick, noninvasive tests show us:
- The size and stability of your airway
- Whether nasal blockage contributes to mouth breathing
- How airway issues may affect your bite and sleep quality
When necessary, we coordinate with sleep physicians or utilize oral appliance therapy to support breathing and alleviate strain.
Advanced Comfort Tools for TMJ Relief
Once we understand your data, we choose therapies that relieve pain while promoting healing. We combine precise diagnostics with technology designed for comfort and tissue recovery.
These options may include:
- Low-Level Laser or Cold Laser/Fotona Therapy to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing
- Rezzimax Therapy for home use to calm muscle tension and headaches
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and ETPS (Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation) to relax muscles before and during care
- Fotona Lightwalker and NightLase for gentle, laser-assisted tissue support
Our advanced technology enables us to treat the source of discomfort safely and effectively, without the need for surgery.
How We Turn Findings Into a Personalized Plan
After reviewing your data, we’ll explain what we found and what it means for you. Your treatment plan may include in-office therapies, at-home strategies, or a custom orthotic appliance designed to stabilize the jaw and protect your bite.
If Pain Is Your Main Concern
We focus first on calming muscles and reducing inflammation. You’ll receive simple at-home exercises and may benefit from short in-office sessions using low-level laser therapy, Cold Laser/Fotona, or Rezzimax to ease muscle tension.
If Clenching and Tooth Wear Are the Problem
For patients who grind or clench, we use K-7 and T-Scan data to design protective orthotics that relieve pressure and rebalance the bite. Over time, we adjust your appliance to ensure long-term comfort and stability.
If Airway Contributes to TMJ Symptoms
When airway restrictions play a role, we may recommend airway testing or collaboration with your physician. Our airway-conscious approach ensures your TMJ plan also supports healthy breathing and sleep.
What Follow-Up and Success Look Like
Your follow-up visits are short, comfortable, and data-driven. We review your progress, fine-tune your appliance, and repeat small portions of your diagnostics to track improvement.
Typical milestones include:
- Reduced headaches and facial tension
- Quieter, smoother jaw movement
- More balanced bite and improved comfort
- Better sleep and less morning fatigue
You’ll know your plan is working because you’ll feel the difference—and see the improvements in your follow-up scans and tracking.
FAQs About TMJ Diagnostics
We understand that you may have questions about what to expect during the testing process. Here are a few of the most common.
Next Steps in Lee’s Summit, MO
If you’ve been living with jaw pain, headaches, or clenching that never quite goes away, it’s time to understand why. At Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea, we combine advanced diagnostics and a conservative, data-driven approach to bring clarity and relief.
Schedule your TMJ evaluation request or learn more about our TMJ treatment options today. You can also explore our TMJ exercises for gentle at-home support between visits.
Call us today at (816) 795-1000 or click the button below to start your path toward lasting comfort and a healthier, more balanced bite.
