TMJ / TMD - Jaw Joint Pain Ask The Dentist Questions about Neuromuscular TMJ relationships Dental Health Library

Dentist Finder

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
WashingtonDC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Dental Health Directory Library

FAQ: TMJ / TMD - Jaw Joint Pain

Child - Adult Therapy Examples LockJaw Survey TMJ Dysfunction - Starting Treatment Pick the Best	Find Neuromuscular Dentists Migraine Diagnosis Craniofacial Pain More Craniofacial Info Google a specialist
Videos TMJ Neuromuscular Treatment Demos Lock Jaw Testimonial Neuromuscular Mouth Guards

Question:
I have been diagnosed with TMJ. I am wondering if having braces put back on will help. This is the way I would like to go. I wore braces for almost three years when I was a freshman through a junior in highschool, but my orthodontist took them off early because (he was trying to be nice) he figured it was good.

I only wore rubberbands for a month and I needed to have worn them for at least 4. What should I do? I would really like to have my braces put back on not only to fix the TMJ but to also make my teeth a little straighter and my bite look better. Thanks for your help, Kristin

Answer:
Kristin, if you were to put the braces back on for TMJ purposes, you need to find an orthodontist who treats TMJ problems and understands how teeth can compress the joints.

A lot of TMJ problems are actually caused by braces, due to the fact that your teeth tend to shift backwards which strains the TMJoint. If you do through ortho again I would recommend that you have TMJ X-rays to properly evaluate the position of your joints and work towards establishing harmony between teeth, muscles, nerves, and joints.

Not too many dentists understand this philosophy, I hope your orthodontist does. Whatever you do, do not undertake any treatment that plans on shifting your front teeth backwards. Your bite will most likely need to be "raised" and your front teeth will need some "freedom" for chewing. Sit down with your orthodontist and discuss these things carefully.

Editorial Staff

Return to TMJ - Jaw Joint Pain FAQ

Ask a Question

Return to FAQ Index

[Home] [Ask The Dentist] [FAQ's] [Polls] [Consultants] [Directories] [Employment] [Articles]
Contact the Editor
Dental Health Directory
Ask The Dentist
Featured in

Dental Pros and Cons

Videos
Pictures Photos
New Products
Bad Teeth Gums Gallery