If you want to improve your oral health and manage TMJ problems, braces are the best option to improve improper teeth position and jaw issues. When the bite is unbalanced, it puts pressure on the jaw joints and produces pain, a clicking sound, or makes it harder to move your jaw. But braces can fix TMJ properly, address problems and reduce TMJ symptoms.
Ignoring TMJ disorder will affect the jaw area and make it harder to chew or talk uncomfortable. Braces can work by improving your teeth's position, balancing the bite, and reducing the stress on the jaw joints. Its important to take orthodontic treatment because it protects you from more damage.
In this article, we will talk about how braces can reduce TMJ symptoms and the connection between teeth and jaw health. We also provide some treatment options that are important. If you are confused about whether these braces are the best choice or not, then keep reading this article and remove your confusion.
How Braces Can Impact TMJ?
Braces are mainly used to keep the teeth in proper position but they also play various roles to improve your oral health. One of its roles is to protect from TMJ disorder symptoms by reducing the stress and tension that occur on jaw muscles. And it is done by improving your bite and aligning the teeth.
Bite Problems and TMJ
Bite problems include overbites, underbites, crossbites, or open bites, mostly caused by a lot of pressure on the TMJ. Stress can lead to:
- Jaw pain: Aching or tenderness in the jaw muscles.
- Headaches: Regular headaches, especially near the temples or forehead.
- Chewing difficulties: Pain or discomfort while eating.
- Locking jaw: Trouble fully opening or closing the mouth.
- Popping or clicking sounds: Audible noises when moving the jaw.
Orthodontic Treatment and TMJ Pain
Braces are the affected way to get relief from TMJ-related discomfort and bite issues. They can work to:
- Reduce strain: Correcting misaligned teeth takes the pressure off the TMJ.
- Improve jaw movement: Proper alignment helps the jaw move smoothly during chewing and speaking.
- Prevent long-term damage: Early treatment can stop TMJ problems from worsening over time.
Can Braces Cause TMJ?
Braces are created to make TMJ's health better. Some people feel a little discomfort at the start of treatment. When there is an adjustment in the teeth and jaw, symptoms will slowly disappear.
When Braces Might Help TMJ?
If you face these issues, then braces are the solution to resolve TMJ issues and problems caused by biting by putting pressure on the jaw joint. The only solution to get rid of these issues is to correct the misalignments. Braces can reduce pressure on the temporomandibular joint, improve the overall function and relieve symptoms like pain and clicking.
Overbite and Underbite
When the upper and lower teeth are not matched properly, they can lead to overbites or underbites. This uneven alignment can put pressure on TMJ, which leads to discomfort and difficulty while chewing something. Braces help by keeping the teeth in the correct positions and reducing stress on the joint.
Crossbite and Open Bite
The main issue is that crossbite and openbites will lead to TMJ problems because there is a lot of pressure on the jaw areas. A crossbite causes teeth to meet in an incorrect position, while an open bite leaves it when the jaw is closed. Braces correct these conditions, balance the bite and help relieve pain.
Reducing Grinding and Clenching
The common symptoms that increase TMJ issues are teeth grinding and clenching. This is because they can put pressure on the jaw muscles and around these areas, which leads to discomfort and pain. If you want to reduce these problems, wear braces by treating misalignment of teeth and improving natural bite.
Bite Guards and Appliances
In most situations, orthodontists advise you to wear a bit guard or other items like braces. These tools act like barriers between teeth and reduce pressure on the TMJ during treatment. Bite guards can prevent damage and cause grinding or clenching.
When Braces Might Not Be the Solution?
Braces can help with TMJ problems that are caused by misalignment, but they do not work for everyone. TMJ disorders have many causes, so knowing them well can help to find the best treatment.
Not all the TMJ symptoms are produced from biting. In most cases, other factors will cause pain and need different treatment methods.
Arthritis and Injury
- Arthritis: In some conditions, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, it will damage the TMJ and cause inflammation and joint damage. Braces did not reduce these issues because they can need proper treatment or physical therapy.
- Injury: Trauma to the jaw and face will cause TMJ disorders. Structural damage may need surgery or other special orthodontic treatment.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are the common factors that cause TMJ problems due to some habits like teeth clenching or jaw tension. These problems need stress and management techniques, relaxation exercises, or the use of bite guards.
Limitations of Orthodontic Treatment
Whether braces can play a role in reducing the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction that are produced by improper bites or misaligned teeth, these disorders are complex and get serious with different dental issues.
- Non-dental causes: TMJ pain related to arthritis, injuries, or muscle tension often requires medical treatment, physical therapy, or stress management rather than braces.
- Time and adjustment: Orthodontic treatment needs some time, and many patients may not see quick relief from TMJ disorder. In most cases, the discomfort may continue even after the bite is fixed.
- Temporary side effects: Braces can sometimes produce some mild TMJ symptoms because teeth and jaws are shifting to the perfect position. This is mostly short-term and can be irritating, or patients can experience quick results.
- Not a guaranteed solution: TMJ disorders are caused by multiple symptoms, so shifting the teeth back to the correct position will not resolve the issue, especially when these factors are involved.
Final Verdict
Usually, using praces for the treatment of wrong-positioned teeth. It helps to get them in the perfect position. However, braces are not the best treatment for all dental issues. If TMJ pain is due to other factors like arthritis, injury, or stress, you have to treat these issues in another way. The best thing is to communicate with your doctor to get the best treatment.