Healthy TMJ

We have touched upon the importance of the condylar postion as a goal. To reiterate: The goal is to have the teeth hit simultaneously when the condyle is seated in an anterior superior postion on the disc centererd transversely. The condyles and the discs move together down the eminentia from their uppermost position in the fossae as the jaw opens. If disc displacement is complete or even partial the disc, condyle, and fossa undergo degenerative changes. This results in a change of how the condyle moves which, together with changes in jaw position result in adverse changes to the profile (ie the mandible appears to drop backwards and an open bite).