I have TMJ with braces?!
Question: I have to get braces and I have TMJ. One dentist said the braces would completly get rid of TMJ the other said it could get worse. I have no idea! If anyone has had braces with TMJ can you tell me if yours got better or worse?
Answers: I have to get braces and I have TMJ. One dentist said the braces would completly get rid of TMJ the other said it could get worse. I have no idea! If anyone has had braces with TMJ can you tell me if yours got better or worse?
First off, everyone has TMJ. In fact, most people have two of them. "TMJ" is just the abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is where your lower jaw articulates with your skull right in front of your ears.
What you have is probably TMD, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. As for who is right, unfortunately the second dentist is closer to the truth. It's possible that your TMD symptoms will get worse when you first get your braces. Braces constantly change the way your teeth fit throughout treatment, and sometimes this change causes you to shift your bite around in a way that can cause your TMD issues to become more apparent. That's not to say that the increase in symptoms is permanent, and there's plenty of research to show that your symptoms will be decreased after treatment. Unfortunately, there's plenty of research to document the opposite effect as well.
What I tell my patients is this: except in very specific circumstances, where their TMD symptoms can be clearly linked to a problem with the way their teeth come together, I can't guarantee that braces will help with the pain. There's a good chance that braces will help, but there is still the possibility that they'll see an increase in pain...or no change at all. If they are looking for an esthetic improvement from the braces, or if they want their bite to feel more comfortable, then by all means orthodontic treatment is a great idea. However, if they are happy with the way their teeth look and feel and are only looking into orthodontics as a way to "cure" their TMD issues, I do not recommend treatment. I simply don't want to make a promise I can't keep.
Hope that helps. Good luck!