Have you wondered about getting braces for your temporomandibular joint (TMJ)? The TMJ is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, which helps you open and close your mouth when you bite, chew, and talk. A disorder of this joint can result in pain and discomfort, especially when moving your mouth, but can braces fix TMJ?
Maldonado Orthodontics, one of the premier orthodontic practices offering metal braces in Metairie, Louisiana, understands the pain that a TMJ disorder (TMD) can cause. Our professionals also know that braces can do more than just straighten misaligned teeth.
Continue reading to learn how braces could indeed help with this type of jaw pain.
The Connection Between TMJ Disorders and Braces
The psychology of smiling and laughing is evident. It can be a physical representation of your happiness, amusement, or engagement in social interactions. Yet, laughing, smiling, and, sometimes, talking can be incredibly difficult if you suffer from a TMJ disorder.
If you experience problems with your temporomandibular joint, you might experience one or more symptoms like:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Ear pain
- Jaw locking
- Problems chewing
- Clicking, grating, or popping noises whenever you move your jaw
- Facial swelling
It often seems unclear why someone develops this condition, but a TMJ disorder can stem from arthritis, trauma, or erosion of the joint. The problem can also be due to missing teeth, teeth grinding, and jaw or dental misalignments, but can braces fix TMJ as they do for these related issues? Though braces can’t cure this type of jaw pain, they are certainly an orthodontic treatment that can alleviate TMJ pain indirectly for the following reasons:
Bite Misalignment Correction
If you have teeth misalignment problems, like a crossbite or open bite, getting braces could realign your teeth and ensure proper positioning and spacing. The result of this orthodontic treatment can also positively impact TMJ pain since certain dental misalignments come right.
Wearing braces can balance your bite, putting your upper and lower teeth in the best position for biting and speaking. This correction reduces stress on your temporomandibular joint, which may alleviate the discomfort.
Better Jaw Positioning
The gentle pressure that braces put on your teeth to slowly move them into a better position also works for the lower jaw. When the jaw aligns, the likelihood of prolonged stress and tension on the joint decreases.
It’s important to note that no one should get braces unless they need to treat an orthodontic problem. While braces can help jaw realignment and provide pain relief for TMJ disorders, this isn’t a good enough reason to get braces. In some cases, metal braces treat some TMJ disorder symptoms similar to orthodontic problems but worsen TMJ pain if the treatment isn’t necessary – a proper assessment is vital.
Reduced Teeth Grinding
It’s well-documented that stress or a misaligned bite can lead to bruxism or teeth grinding. In turn, excessive teeth grinding puts undue stress on the jaw joint, which can cause Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).
If you have bruxism due to dental misalignment, getting braces could help with TMJ discomfort as the orthodontic treatment addresses your misaligned bite. If your teeth grinding is due to stress, it may be better to practice relaxation techniques, like breathing exercises or yoga, to ease joint discomfort.
An orthodontist can also recommend a TMJ orthodontic appliance, like a dental night guard, to protect your teeth and jaw from clenching or grinding.
Find Relief for Your Temporomandibular Joint Pain With Personalized Orthodontic Treatment
Can braces fix TMJ? At Maldonado Orthodontics in Metairie, Louisiana, we say yes, but only in certain situations. As one of the top orthodontic practices serving the local community, we strive to provide top-tier, customizable orthodontic treatments that enhance smiles, reduce jaw pain, and improve bite alignment. Whether you’re considering getting braces as an adult or exploring options to address your child’s teeth problems, our board-certified dental professionals can help. Call (225) 869-3753 today!
