title: Modified stethoscope for auscultation of temporomandibular joint sounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Purpose of this study was to modify the stethoscope which can auscultate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds more precisely than conventional stethoscope, and fabrication of stethoscope compatible software which analyses the auscultated sound and gives documentary evidence of that analysis in the form of graph.
  
  
  METHODS
  The conventional stethoscope was modified by attaching a custom made soundscope with a recording device which can be placed in external auditory meatus (EAM) for auscultation of TMJ sounds. When this small and smooth end of custom made soundscope of modified stethoscope is placed in EAM & connected with specially developed software it records the TMJ sounds & analyzes them in form of graph.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fabrication of modified stethoscope with software records the auscultated sound as a sound wave in form of graph and analyses this sound wave graph to give graphic evidence of prominent intensity at prominent frequency as spectrum analysis graph, and duration of that sound as a sound length graph.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of modified stethoscope with software increases the accuracy of auscultation of TMJ sounds without any patient's discomfort and helps in diagnosis of TMJ disorders. The modified stethoscope with software for auscultation of TMJ sounds results in more precise auscultation & analysis of TMJ for sounds even of low intensity & frequency. How to cite the article: Dagar SR, Turakiya V, Pakhan AJ, Jaggi N, Kalra A, Vaidya V. Modified stethoscope for auscultation of temporomandibular joint sounds. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(2):40-4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry & Research Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sanjiv Rajender Singh
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dagar
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics & Implantology, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry & Research Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Viral
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Turakiya
authors.affiliation: Sharad Pawar Dental College & Hospital, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ashok J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pakhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry & Research Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics & Dento-facial Orthopaedics, Maharana Pratap College of Dentistry & Research Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Maitri College of Dentistry & Research Center, Durg, Chattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Vidya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vaidya
keywords: Bell; sound wave; soundscope; spectrum analysis; thud