TMJ is your temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge-like part that connects your jaw to your temporal lobes of your skull. It is responsible for opening and closing of your mouth, so that you can chew, talk or yawn. When there are problems with your jaw or these functions, it is often known as TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). The disorder can cause pain in the mouth, jaw, facial pain, migraines or headaches, which are sometimes accompanied by a popping or clicking sound when the jaw moves.
Braces focus on changing your smile, by straightening your teeth and aligning your bite. Braces will not cause or cure problems with TMJ disorder. However, pain relief may be obtained by fixing two types of bite issues. A cross bite and an open bite may contribute to TMJ dysfunction, therefore correcting those is important.
Remember braces do not cause TMJ problems! Some patients with ideal bites complain of TMJ pain. Correcting certain bite issues may provide relief and help prevent TMJD from developing.
For more questions about braces in Suwanee, Cumming or Brookhaven – contact us at Windermere Orthodontics!
– Dr. Gorlovksy