Do Braces Cause TMJ?

Do Braces Cause TMJ?
Posted on 01/17/2018

Woman holding her mouth in pain

TMJ is the temporomandibular joint that works like a hinge to connect your jaw to the temporal lobes of your skull. It’s there to help you open and close your mouth so you can chew, speak, and yawn. If you’ve been told you have TMJ disorder, you have a jaw problem that makes it difficult to perform these functions without hearing a popping or clicking sound and feeling some type of mouth, jaw, or facial pain.

As your East Orlando orthodontist who speaks to many people every day, Dr. Taddeo is often asked if braces can cause TMJ disorder. Fortunately, this is not an uncommon question. Scientific research has proven that there is no direct correlation between braces or any other type of orthodontic treatment and TMJ disorder.


What Causes TMJ Disorder?

While the exact cause of TMJ disorder is not known, experts believe that the symptoms arise from problems with the jaw muscles or with the jaw joint itself. Some things that can contribute to TMJ disorder include:

  • Injuries to the jaw, the jaw joint or the muscles of the head and neck
  • Grinding or clenching the teeth that puts excessive pressure on the jaw joint
  • Arthritis in the jaw joint
  • Stress, which causes the facial and jaw muscles to tighten

How TMJ Disorder is Treated

Some of the most common treatments for TMJ include:

  • Resting of the joints of the jaws
  • Stress management techniques to reduce clenching of the jaw
  • Pain medications
  • Mouth exercises
  • Heat and cold compresses
  • Orthodontic appliances like mouth guards to reduce the effects of teeth grinding

Sometimes corrective jaw surgery is recommended if it’s been determined that the symptoms are caused by a defect or structural problem within the jaw joint. This surgery is often done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ.


Contact Your East Orlando Orthodontist

We hope this bit of information has helped you better understand TMJ disorder, what causes it and how it’s treated. If you’re considering braces, be sure to tell your orthodontist about any TMJ symptoms you’re experiencing before you start treatment. This way, your orthodontist can make a thorough assessment of your history before determining how to proceed.

If you’re looking for an experienced and compassionate East Orlando orthodontist, Dr. Taddeo is the right choice to make! He’s dedicated to working closely with you from the start to develop a customized treatment plan that will meet your unique orthodontic needs and match your lifestyle. To set up your free consultation with Dr. Taddeo, call us today at (407) 482-3700 or request an appointment online. We love welcoming new patients to our office and are excited about meeting you soon!

Dr. Ross Taddeo Orthodontics

  • Dr. Ross Taddeo Orthodontics - 1561 S. Alafaya Trail, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32828 Phone: 407-482-3700

2024 © All Rights Reserved | Website Design By: Televox | Login