Heal Your Jaw. Keep Your Teeth.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) produces jaw pain, clicking, locking, or headaches. Downtown Sebastopol's stressed entrepreneurs and creative professionals sometimes clench and grind, driving TMJ symptoms. South Sebastopol's agricultural workers and manual laborers experience jaw tension from repetitive strain or postural stress. Ragle Ranch's older residents occasionally develop TMJ from arthritis or decades of bite wear. Burnside Road families sometimes have children with TMJ symptoms from stress, sports impact, or orthodontic imbalance. The Barlow's food and wine professionals occasionally report jaw tension from standing, talking, and client interaction. Sebastopol's progressive demographic often seeks non-invasive solutions (guards, physical therapy, stress management) before considering surgical options, aligning well with Dr. Bonin's conservative approach.

TMJ consultation and initial guard fitting spans one appointment (60-90 min). Adjustment visits are short. Commute from Sebastopol is standard. Patients are encouraged to combine night guard therapy with physical therapy, stress reduction, and posture correction for optimal outcomes.

TMJ dysfunction is multifactorial: occlusal (bite) factors, muscle tension, joint anatomy, and psychosocial stress all contribute. Dr. Bonin performs bite analysis (checking contact points, prematurities, cross-bites) to identify occlusal contributions. Palpation of temporalis and masseter muscles reveals tender, spasmed areas. History of trauma, arthritis, or bruxism is documented. MRI may be indicated if joint pathology is suspected, but imaging is deferred initially in favor of conservative treatment.

Night guard (occlusal splint) fabrication begins with impression and bite registration. Lab constructs a hard acrylic guard covering upper or lower teeth, fabricated to neutral bite position (not clenched). Custom fit ensures retention without gaps. Patients wear nightly; daytime awareness exercises (gentle jaw stretching, resting tongue on roof of mouth, avoiding hard foods) support healing. Dr. Scott Bonin refines bite if excessive prematurities are found. Physical therapy referral for jaw strengthening and postural correction is routine.

Sebastopol's progressive professionals recognize that TMJ stress often stems from lifestyle factors (anxiety, perfectionism, sedentary desktop work). The community's emphasis on holistic health means patients readily embrace night guards, physical therapy, and stress reduction as non-invasive management. Artists and creative professionals particularly value the reversibility of guard therapy; it's not invasive surgery. Older residents appreciate that conservative approach delays or avoids surgical intervention.