TMJ/Night Guards

The temporomandibular joint, known as TMJ, allows for proper chewing, bite movements, and jaw movements inside of your mouth. This joint system along with the surrounding muscles provides needed flexibility for the entire jaw line. A patient can suffer a TMJ injury or complication and experience severe jaw pain, soreness, clicking of the jaw, and bite limitations that affect eating, sleeping, and drinking. A TMJ complication can be attributed to multiple factors. While the exact cause of the disorder is hard to determine, it can be treated effectively.

Our experienced Santa Monica dentist can diagnose a TMJ disorder after a thorough oral examination. The severity of the disorder will be determined by a series of routine tests that check for common symptoms. The potential causes will be discussed and recommended dental treatments will be reviewed and scheduled. Patients that suffer from severe TMJ disorders may require long-term treatments to correct the irregularity.

A common procedure to alleviate a TMJ disorder is the use of a splint or night guard to be worn inside of the mouth during relaxation or sleep. A specially designed guard is designed to fit into the contours of the mouth and provides proper alignment of the jawbone. This alignment restructures the bite sequence to stabilize the upper or lower jaw into the TMJ socket. This treatment may provide instant relief for patients and allow the joint and surrounding muscles to function properly.

Modern procedures to treat a TMJ disorder have decreased the opportunities of constant tooth wear or further damage caused by irregularities or abnormalities inside of the mouth or joint. Our Santa Monica cosmetic dentist provides accurate TMJ treatments that are the right choice for each individual patient. A Night guard can be used to correct many TMJ symptoms and allow patients to receive instant relief. The night guard or splint keeps the alignment of the joint corrected and stabilizes unnecessary movements. Using the night guard will decrease teeth grinding and clenching of the jaw muscles that produce painful symptoms. Dr. Khoubnazar has the experience and training to successfully treat TMJ disorder and provide accurate corrective treatments.