TMJ - Sedation and Implant Dentistry of Tehachapi

Have you lost the joy of eating it because your jaw hurts too much to open up that wide? At Sedation and Implant Dentistry of Tehachapi, we can help. For over 20 years, we’ve helped hundreds of Kern County residents get back to eating the foods they love by addressing both the symptoms and the causes of their TMD.

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a condition of the of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves commonly associated with chronic facial pain. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in front of your ear. It’s where the temporal bones and mandible (lower jaw) come together. We are born with two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of our skull. Because of the position of these joints, TMD commonly causes pain in the lower jaw, face, neck and back.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) refers to a number of clinical problems involving the Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs) and associated muscles and structures of the jaw area. Research shows the popping and clicking noises in the jaw joints was present in 40-60% of the population. Considering that normal, healthy TMJs are completely silent at all times, the 40-60% figure is a rather staggering one to consider. A small percentage of patients with TMD have symptoms which degenerate into crippling chronic pain and limited jaw mobility. A recent National Institute of Health study indicates that over nine million Americans suffer from TMJ pain of some level on a regular basis.

Neuromuscular dentistry is an approach to dental treatment that focuses on the correction of jaw misalignment. Our Irvine Neuromuscular dentists determine the optimal position of the jaw in order to correct misalignment and adjust how the upper and lower teeth come together (occlusion). By realigning the jaw joint through the use of cosmetic dental restorations, tooth recontouring (equilibration) or orthodontics, our dentists strive to alleviate stress from the jaw muscles and eliminate painful symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).