Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a fairly prevalent oral health issue that many people deal with. It can lead to jaw pain, trouble chewing, and facial soreness, to name a few. While you might’ve already tried alternative treatments, are your symptoms still flaring up? It may be time to visit your orthodontist, as braces may be a solution for some patients. Here’s what to know.
How Can Misalignment Cause TMJ Disorder?
Your teeth meet at precise places, so when that fit isn’t just right, then you are likely to experience some problems. You may have a harder time biting down and moving your lower jaw, which will put pressure on your TMJs, or your jaw joints. The muscles around them will have to work harder to open and close your mouth. Not only that, but eating can become more of a hassle, and you’ll need to chew for longer to break down your food.
This often leads to discomfort, stiffness, and inflammation. Over time, your symptoms may only become worse, so it’s important you get it treated right away.
So, Can Braces Help with My TMJ Disorder?
As you may already know, braces are designed to correct misalignment and malocclusions. With a bracket and wire system, they will gradually move your teeth until they are in their desired positions. Better yet, by adjusting how your smile comes together, you can even see improvements to your TMJ disorder.
When your bite is more balanced, you’ll have an easier time eating and moving your mouth. You may start to notice your jaw pain isn’t as bad as it used to be. Since you won’t have that tension in your facial muscles, you might also notice you don’t have any many headaches as well.
Many people can get braces as a solution for this condition, but your results will take several months to get. So, you should make sure you’re following other TMJ-relief strategies in the meantime, such as sticking to a soft-food diet.
Should I Get Braces?
In the end, braces can be a great solution for TMJ disorder. To see if your misalignment is causing problems, you should talk to your orthodontist. They will be able to examine your bite and lay out a personalized treatment plan to help you get the long-term relief you deserve from this condition.
About the Practice
At Serenity Orthodontics, you benefit from a skilled team of orthodontists who look after you and your oral health. We are here to help the local community get the straighter smiles they deserve with braces or clear aligners. By taking a look at your unique malocclusion, we can get you to a comfortable bite you deserve. If you want to see how we can help with your TMJ disorder, schedule an appointment or call our Windermere office at (678) 879-3006.
