Can Braces Fix TMJ Disorder?

Pain or discomfort in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can happen for a variety of reasons. Many assume that dentists only treat problems with your teeth, but your dental team can also help address muscle and joint pain, including temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Braces are one of several treatment options your dentist can recommend to treat TMJ pain.

A dental exam allows your dentist to assess your teeth, jaw, and bite to protect your teeth from damage from TMD. Our knowledgeable dental team can offer solutions and education on managing discomfort and keeping your mouth healthy. 

What Is TMJ?

Your TMJ is the joint that connects the mandible, or jawbone, to the temporal bone on your skull. It is considered one of the most complex joints in the body­—it moves backwards, forwards, side to side, and rotates.

As you chew, speak, yawn, or swallow, this joint, along with muscles and ligaments, work together, but dysfunction in the tissue or bone can cause TMJ pain.

TMJ or TMD?

Many people use the terms TMJ or TMD interchangeably. TMJ is a blanket term referring to the joint, but recently, the phrase temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, has emerged to refer to the group of conditions that cause joint dysfunction and limited jaw movement.

TMDs typically fall into 3 primary classes, including:

• Disorders in the joints
• Disorders of the masticatory muscles (the muscles that help you chew)
• Headaches related to TMD

TMDs can be mild and resolve on their own or can become more severe, chronic, and affect your quality of life or sleep.

TMD Symptoms

The most prominent symptom of TMJ disorders involves pain in the jaw and facial muscles. However, additional symptoms linked to these disorders can include:

• Neck pain or stiffness
• Limited range of motion in the jaw
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Headaches
• Shifts in the jaw, changing the jaw’s alignment, called malocclusion
• Wearing down of the teeth

TMDs have been known to occur with other medical issues, such as back pain, sleep problems, fibromyalgia, or irritable bowel syndrome. 

Treatments for TMD

TMD treatments are varied, and your dental team may recommend specific methods over others, depending on the underlying cause of your jaw dysfunction. Most TMJ disorders result from injuries like whiplash, bruxism, or jaw clenching and grinding, and can be aggravated by stress or neck tension.

Braces

If your dentist is confident that the TMD results from a misaligned bite, braces may be the recommended treatment. Braces work to gradually realign teeth so they fit together correctly, easing the strain on your jaw joint.

Malocclusion of the teeth can cause TMJ disorders if left untreated. Braces can offer a solution if you have developed:

• Crowded teeth
• Crossbite
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite

These malocclusions can lead to dysfunctional chewing, speaking problems, and general discomfort. Another concern for jaw misalignment includes uneven wear on the teeth, which can be damaging in some cases.

Our dental team can help identify bite problems through dental exams and X-rays and begin treatment even before TMD symptoms develop.

Nightguard

Waking up with jaw pain in the morning may indicate your TMD stems from bruxism, grinding your teeth at night. Whether you grind at night from stress or as a result of a sleep disorder, the dental team at South Ancaster Family Dental can offer a custom-fitted nightguard to protect your teeth as you sleep.

Some notice bruxism while awake—clenching and grinding during the day and at night. Your dentist may recommend a splint or urge you to be more mindful of these behaviours throughout the day.

Lifestyle Habits

Our dental team can suggest noninvasive methods for mild cases of TMJ disorders, including lifestyle changes, such as:

• Eating softer foods
• Using hot and cold compresses
• Avoiding chewing gum
• Trying stress-relieving techniques

Some simple TMJ exercises can help improve your range of motion and relax your jaw muscles. Talk to your dentist before trying exercises to avoid overdoing certain movements and worsening the pain. 

Discuss Your Jaw Health with Your Dentist

TMJ disorders can cause pain and discomfort in your body and affect your oral health. Schedule a dental exam to discuss treatment options if you are experiencing jaw pain, soreness, or discomfort. Our dental team can recognize signs of TMJ problems in your teeth’s wear and bite, and provide early treatment to help protect your teeth.