Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition that impacts millions of individuals and may cause pain in the jaws, headaches, and the inability to open and close the mouth as well as other unpleasant conditions. If you are experiencing symptoms, searching for an orthodontist near me can help you find a local specialist for evaluation and treatment.
What Are TMJ/TMD Disorders?
TMJ is a reference to the temporomandibular joint, the hinge joint of the jawbone that joins the mandible to the skull. This joint, or the muscles surrounding the joint may not be working properly, and this may lead to TMD – which is a condition that is characterised by pain, clicking or popping of the joint, and limited movement of the jaw. TMD may occur as a result of trauma, arthritis, tooth grinding (bruxism) or other types of muscular tension caused by stress.
The orthodontist’s role in aiding in the treatment of TMJ/TMD.
Despite the fact that orthodontics can be treated as the development of a straighter smile, its application in the treatment of TMD is based on the improvement of bite and jaw structure. With the correct placement of teeth and jaws, the forces that are produced in chewing and speaking are spread more equally. This decreases the abnormal loads on the TMJ and jaw muscles which may decrease pain and modify overall functioning.
By using orthodontics, the position of teeth is repositioned, and in some situations, the position of the jaw is altered. Orthodontics aims at restoring balance between the dental arches by alleviating the underlying causes of TMD that cause pain and undue stress pressure on the joint.
Orthodontics TMJ/TMD Solutions.
Orthodontic treatment can be used to aid individuals with TMJ/TMD, but this depends on the individual’s problem:
● Braces: The purpose of traditional braces is not only to make the crooked teeth straight but the jaws of the upper and lower teeth to both align to each other. Fixing the bite will reduce the abnormal forces of the joints that cause pain.
● Clear Aligners: Clear aligners are used in a very similar way to braces, except that they have removable trays. They move teeth slowly into a more favourable arrangement and position and aid in optimising the bite without the presence of metal brackets.
● Bite Adjustments: At times it is not necessarily crooked teeth that are the issue but the manner in which the bite fits together. Bite adjustments are the methods used in the correction of the surfaces of some teeth to allow the bite to become more balanced and relieve the joints of strain.
● Night Guards and Splints: TMJ protection To counter overstraining of the TMJ that is caused by grinding or clenching of the teeth, the dental appliances can be designed to be put in place during sleep and help relieve muscle tension. These appliances are used to alleviate stress during rest.
The orthodontists typically combine these types of treatments to create an individualised treatment that best aligns the teeth along with the jaw position in relation to the individual patient.
Realistic Expectations
TMJ/TMD as an orthodontic condition is not a fast solution or panacea. It involves time, dedication, and frequent follow-up treatment. Symptom relief does not happen to all people, and even though some of them decide to feel better throughout the treatment, the process is slow.