TMJ Treatment · Diagnostic Technology
TENS & K7 Jaw Tracking
Two technologies. One objective answer. Before any treatment begins, we use the Myotronics J5 TENS to relax your muscles to their true resting position — then the Myotronics K7 to precisely map where your jaw belongs.
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A trusted TMJ, Sleep & Airway Doc in Scottsdale, Arizona
Step 1 · Myotronics J5 TENS
Relaxing the muscles to find the truth.
Using the J5 Dental TENS Unit, Dr. Patrice relaxes your jaw muscles to their true resting length — easing discomfort through gentle electrical nerve stimulation. This is the critical first step before any jaw measurement or treatment can begin.
If we measure jaw position while the muscles are tense and compensating, we get a false reading. TENS removes that variable entirely — ensuring all subsequent measurements are accurate and repeatable.
"TENS doesn't treat TMJ — it reveals the truth about where treatment needs to begin."
- Delivers gentle ULF-TENS pulses at 1.5 Hz — the body's natural muscle relaxation rhythm
- Small electrodes placed on the face and neck — completely comfortable
- Session takes 45–60 minutes — many patients feel immediate relief during treatment
- Brings muscles to true physiologic rest — ensuring all K7 measurements are accurate
Myotronics J5 TENS Unit
Myotronics K7 Evaluation System
- Tracks jaw movement in all three planes simultaneously in real time
- Measures EMG muscle activity — before, during, and after treatment
- Analyzes TMJ joint sounds to identify structural issues
- Detects jaw deviations invisible to the naked eye
- Provides objective before-and-after documentation of treatment progress
- Provides objective before-and-after documentation of treatment progress
Step 2 · Myotronics K7 Jaw Tracking
See what the eye cannot see.
Once the muscles are fully relaxed by TENS, the K7x Evaluation System maps the precise movement of your jaw in three dimensions in real time — revealing the exact position where your muscles are at rest and your jaw belongs.
The K7 also measures EMG muscle activity simultaneously — giving us objective, documented before-and-after proof that the jaw has been correctly repositioned and the muscles have resolved.
"We don't guess where your jaw belongs. We measure it — precisely, repeatably, and objectively."
TENS + K7 Together
Objective measurement. Not guesswork.
Used together, the J5 TENS and K7 give us a complete, objective picture of your jaw’s true resting position — forming the foundation of every treatment decision we make. Most TMJ diagnosis relies on palpation and patient-reported symptoms. We measure what is actually happening.
The Science Behind the Bite
EMG. Listening to the muscles.
Electromyography — EMG — is the most direct way to measure what your jaw muscles are actually doing. Each muscle generates a small electrical signal as it contracts, and EMG sensors placed on the skin capture that activity in real time. Healthy, resting muscles produce a low, steady reading. Overworked, compensating muscles fire high — even when you think you are at rest.
Dr. Patrice captures a 9-muscle EMG reading on every TMJ patient — documenting the temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and surrounding muscle groups on both sides of the head and neck. This baseline is the starting point for treatment, and it becomes the reference for measuring objective progress later.
What EMG reveals:
- Which muscles are firing high — identifying the specific overworked muscles driving your pain.
- Which muscles are firing high — identifying the specific overworked muscles driving your pain.
- Resting tone vs. functional load — showing whether muscles ever truly rest, or remain chronically activated.
- Response to TENS therapy — confirming that muscles have actually returned to their resting baseline before bite measurements are taken.
"If we cannot measure it, we are guessing. EMG turns TMJ diagnosis from an opinion into a number."
Explore TMJ Treatment
What the technology actually captures.
Together, the J5 TENS and K7 produce a complete diagnostic picture of your jaw — documented, repeatable, and shared with you directly. Here is what we capture at every TMJ workup:
Measurement 01
9-Muscle EMG Reading
Simultaneous electrical activity readings from nine jaw, head, and neck muscles — left and right sides — documenting baseline tone, asymmetry, and overuse patterns.
Measurement 02
3D Jaw Movement Tracking
Real-time mapping of jaw motion in all three planes — vertical, horizontal, and lateral — capturing the exact path your jaw travels during opening, closing, and chewing.
Measurement 03
Sonographic Joint Sounds
Audible recordings of joint sounds during movement — identifying clicks, pops, and crepitus that signal disc displacement or structural change inside the joint.
Measurement 04
Resting vs. Functional Position
Side-by-side comparison of where your jaw sits at rest versus where the muscles want it to be — the gap reveals the structural correction required.
Measurement 05
Range of Motion Analysis
Maximum opening, lateral excursion, and protrusive range — benchmarked against healthy norms to quantify functional restriction and track recovery.
Measurement 06
Before / After Documentation
Every measurement above is captured again after treatment — producing objective, side-by-side proof of how much the muscles, joint, and jaw position have changed.
For You as a Patient
Why this matters for your care.
Objective measurement is not about the technology itself — it is about what that technology lets us do for you. Here is how the J5 TENS and K7 directly affect your treatment experience and outcome:
Removes the guesswork from diagnosis
Most TMJ providers rely on palpation, patient-reported symptoms, and clinical intuition. Useful, but subjective. We start with measurable data — so the diagnosis is based on what your muscles and joint are actually doing, not on best-guess interpretation.
Enables precision orthotic fabrication
Your custom MORA orthotic is calibrated to your specific physiologic jaw position — not to an averaged or estimated position. The data drives the build, which is why Phase I delivers such reliable results.
Lets you see your own data
You see your baseline EMG, watch the muscles relax with TENS, and see the after-treatment readings on the same day. This transparency is part of the process — you should never have to take a provider’s word for it.
Tracks progress objectively
Pain levels rise and fall day to day — subjective tracking is unreliable. Repeated EMG and K7 measurements show whether your muscles and jaw are genuinely improving, regardless of how you happened to feel that morning.
Creates a permanent baseline for your records
Years from now, if any aspect of your jaw position, bite, or muscle pattern changes, we have the original data to compare against. Most patients never have this level of dental documentation — and it becomes more valuable over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the technology
Does the TENS hurt?
No. The J5 Dental TENS delivers a gentle, low-frequency electrical pulse that most patients describe as a light tap or rhythmic pulse. There is no pain — in fact, many patients fall asleep during the 45 to 60 minute session as their muscles begin to relax for the first time in years.
What does K7 jaw tracking feel like?
Comfortable and completely non-invasive. A small, lightweight sensor array is positioned to track your jaw movement, and you open, close, and move your jaw normally while the technology records the data. Nothing touches the inside of your mouth, and the entire reading takes only a few minutes.
Can I see my own data?
Absolutely. Transparency is a core part of how Dr. Patrice practices. You will see your baseline EMG readings, watch the muscles relax in real time during TENS, and review the after-treatment measurements on the same visit. The data belongs to you, and reviewing it together is part of every appointment.
Why don't most dentists use this technology?
The J5 TENS and K7x Evaluation System require significant investment — in the equipment itself, and in the years of specialized training to use them well. They are also outside the scope of general dentistry and most cosmetic practices. Dr. Patrice has built her practice specifically around neuromuscular dentistry and TMJ care, which is why this technology is foundational to how she works.
Is this technology FDA approved and safe?
Yes. Myotronics has been the leading manufacturer of neuromuscular dental technology for decades, and both the J5 Dental TENS Unit and K7x Evaluation System are FDA-registered medical devices. They have a long, well-documented safety record across thousands of dental practices worldwide.
Will I need TENS every visit?
Not every visit — but TENS is used at key diagnostic and re-measurement points throughout treatment. The initial workup, bite capture for orthotic fabrication, and follow-up evaluations all involve TENS to ensure the muscles are at true rest before measurements are taken. Some patients also receive periodic TENS as part of follow-up therapy.
See What the Data Shows
Measured. Not guessed. The difference is everything.
If you have been told for years that TMJ pain is something you have to live with — or if a generic appliance has not solved the problem — objective measurement is the missing piece. Schedule your complimentary consultation to see what the data shows about your jaw and what your personalized treatment plan would look like.
Scottsdale
13825 N Northsight Blvd, Suite 120
Mon–Thu 8–5 · Tue 7–5 · Fri 8–1
(480) 767-8400
Payson
315 E State Highway 260
Mon–Thu 8am – 5pm
(928) 474-2200
