TMJ disorder (TMD) is a common condition that is characterized by jaw pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, sore facial muscles, and other unpleasant symptoms. If you are suffering from it, you might have already tried common treatment options. But what if your symptoms keep recurring? You may need to visit an orthodontist. In this blog post, you will learn how braces are often able to fix TMJ disorder.
How Dental Misalignment Contributes to TMD
A type of dental misalignment, known as a bad bite or malocclusion, occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not work harmoniously together. This imbalance can place excessive stress on your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which are responsible for moving your lower jaw.
When your bite is off, your jaw muscles must work harder to open and close your mouth. This often leads to pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints. Over time, this repeated strain can contribute to the development or worsening of TMJ disorder. Eating and speaking may become uncomfortable.
TMD can even be a descending disorder, meaning that misalignment in your jaw can cause aches and pains throughout your body, including your neck and back.
How Braces Can Help
Braces are a common orthodontic treatment that gradually moves your teeth and bite into better alignment. By correcting how your upper and lower teeth come together, braces may help reduce or eliminate the strain placed on your TMJs.
As your bite gradually improves, you may notice less jaw pain, fewer headaches, and reduced tension in your facial muscles. Orthodontic treatment can also prevent further damage to your joints by promoting a more balanced and functional bite.
For many people, braces offer a permanent solution for the symptoms of TMJ disorder. However, since they can take several months to produce results, you may need to use other types of TMD relief strategies in the meantime. For example, a soft diet, pain relievers, and heat/cold therapy can provide a temporary reprieve from symptoms.
Find Out If Braces Are Right for You
TMD is complex, and braces are not a universal solution for it. However, if you suspect that a bad bite is to blame for your symptoms, you should certainly visit an orthodontist! They can evaluate the positioning of your teeth and bite and then design a treatment plan based on your unique situation. Hopefully, you will soon be on the way to long-term relief from the pain of TMD!
Meet the Practice
Drs. Michael and Cristina Everson are a husband-and-wife team who proudly provide orthodontic services for the Buckhead community. Dr. Michael is even a board-certified orthodontist with more than 15 years of experience. If you are suffering from persistent TMD symptoms and have struggled to find a solution, our team would be happy to welcome you in for an evaluation. Contact Buckhead Orthodontics in Atlanta at 404-697-7497.