The short answer to this question is—yes. Orthodontic treatment can correct bite issues that may contribute to TMJ pain. However, there are some important things to understand about TMJ pain, its causes, and its proper treatment. Here's what you should know.
What Is TMD?
The terms TMJ and TMD often get confused. TMJ refers to the temporomandibular jaw joint, which is the joint system that's responsible for your complex bite movements, such as opening and closing your mouth or moving it from side to side for chewing. TMD refers to temporomandibular disorder, which is the condition that occurs when your TMJ is not functioning properly.
When you suffer from TMD, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Tooth clenching and grinding
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Pain or tenderness when chewing
- Jaw locking open or closed
- Jaw popping or clicking
- Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
Many people suffer from multiple symptoms, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
How Do We Treat TMD?
Properly treating TMD really requires getting to the root cause of the problem. For example, if a misaligned bite is the cause of your TMD, Dr. Patel may recommend orthodontic treatment to correct your bite alignment and alleviate your TMD. We would refer you to a trusted orthodontist to work with to align your teeth and correct your bite.
If clenching and grinding (bruxism) of your teeth is the cause of your TMD, Dr. Patel may recommend a night guard you can wear at night while you sleep to eliminate bruxism and alleviate your TMD symptoms.
The first step is booking an evaluation with your Mt. Pleasant dentist for an evaluation to determine the cause of your TMD. Then, he can make the proper recommendations to help you manage your condition.
Contact our team at (843) 633-6811 if you'd like to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Patel.