TMJ Forum - Has Braces Helped Anyone With Tmj?

Join Our Community!

Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > Has Braces Helped Anyone With Tmj?

TOPICS DOCTOR QUESTIONS

Q: Has Braces Helped Anyone With Tmj?

asked by: californiaguy1 on September 2nd, 2007

New User

I've had TMJ for a while now, I wore a splint for about 3 months that was made by an orthodontist. He suggested getting braces on my top teeth and a retainer for my bottom teeth to correct my bite and I went along with this so now I have braces and hate every second of it. I no longer wear the splint since I have the braces and I am right back into the horrible pain and jaw problems that I had before. I am wondering if anyone else has ever had braces actually work to fix their jaw problem.

I'm really in a bad situation now as far as this and desperately want the braces off, unfortunately my parents have been supporting me as I'm a student and they are going to cut me off if I remove the braces so I don't know what to do but any advice would be appreciated.

|

Replies(14)

TMJWorld

replied on September 4th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Hey

Normally (and I would highly suggest not getting them) braces are one of the worst things for tmd. I had them. made it worse. the thing about orthodontists is that they focus on making straight teeth and a pretty smile. They dont think about what they are doing to the muscles by changing the teeth. they need to think of the bite and the muscles as the team they are. both need to work in harmony in order to have a pain free jaw. I can help you find a doctor that will do this for you. just let me know. I would not get braces unless you go to a specific kind of doctor. going to the wrong one will only cause more trouble---and the braces will cause more trouble.

|

acruz

replied on September 4th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

I did not "have" TMJ until I got braces. So considering that aspect..i would not reccommend getting the braces.

|

TMJWorld

replied on September 4th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

acruz wrote:

I did not "have" TMJ until I got braces. So considering that aspect..i would not reccommend getting the braces.

most of the time people dont have tmd untill after they have braces. that is why i said what i said in my previous post. orthodontists are only worried about a pretty smile. they dont care about the rest of it and end up causing more harm than good.

|

acruz

replied on September 4th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

I completely agree...

|

TMJWorld

replied on September 4th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

acruz wrote:

I completely agree...

if you get in touch with me i can help you find a doc that will fix the damage done.

|

californiaguy1

replied on September 4th, 2007

New User

Thank you everyone so much for the responses. The problem is that I already have the braces on. If anyone has anyone concrete resources or doctors that I could contact regarding this I would greatly appreciate if you could send the info my way as my parents are the ones who paid for the braces and I already feel like our relationship has permanently been ruined over my TMJ... all they will tell me is that I need to see a psychiatrist because of my problems when I know that all of my problems related to TMJ.

|

californiaguy1

replied on September 4th, 2007

New User

I really should have done more research before letting this orthodontist put these things on, its a shame because I'm in really good shape other than my TMJ and I'm active, etc this problem just makes it so hard to socialize at this point especially since I've gotten these braces on.

|

TMJWorld

replied on September 5th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

californiaguy1 wrote:

I really should have done more research before letting this orthodontist put these things on, its a shame because I'm in really good shape other than my TMJ and I'm active, etc this problem just makes it so hard to socialize at this point especially since I've gotten these braces on.

just tell them that you are going a different route and if they wont take them off--you will find someone that will.

dont worry about your parents. Im sure that you can take care of yourself Wink

Wink

you are all grown up now.

|

badhairday

replied on October 21st, 2007

New User

Dyanmatteson How Do I Pm You....

I joined the site today so I am not sure how to contact you. Would you be able to help me find someone in Belgium or London to help me with my TMJ issues?
I developed TMJ symptoms just a month ago during the last month of my ortho treatment. I can most definitely feel the malocclusion that started to take place at that point. Do you think ORtho can set the problem right again?

|

milkdoll

replied on October 21st, 2007

New User

My TMJ treatment is going to involve Braces. I have to wear a splint for 1 year then I will get braces. The splint will correct my bite and put the ball and socket in the correct position. But after a year and its corrected and I remove the splint- my back teeth wont touch. So the braces are to correct the back teeth so they can touch and conform to the new bite.

I am really disappointed to hear that the braces arent working for you. How long have you been wearing them?

|

TMJWorld

replied on October 21st, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

yes but you are doing neuromuscular dentistry. that is phase 2. that keeps the bite that you attain with the orthotic and it keeps the muscles in line in their proper place. not all braces work for tmd--it has to be done right.

|

TMJWorld

replied on October 22nd, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Re: Dyanmatteson How Do I Pm You....

badhairday wrote:

I joined the site today so I am not sure how to contact you. Would you be able to help me find someone in Belgium or London to help me with my TMJ issues?
I developed TMJ symptoms just a month ago during the last month of my ortho treatment. I can most definitely feel the malocclusion that started to take place at that point. Do you think ORtho can set the problem right again?

You would have to do ortho again with the right kind of doctor--one that not only knows what he is doing but one that works with your muscles as well. Yes i can find you someone in those places.

you can find any post by me and just click on my name above the avatar(the picture of the whale) this will bring up my profile--under the avatar there are 3 buttons one of them is "send her a message" this will bring up the pm form which looks just like when you post. you write your message and hit send and i get it. Ill also pm you my email address. Smile

Smile

|

rosy22

replied on February 19th, 2008

New User

My daugther had a total of almost 7 years in braces. I think this what caused or at least contributed to her joint problems. Ironically she will need to have braces again before jaw surgery to deal with the problems that were brought about in this fashion. It is not the braces themselves that are the problem per say, it is the fact that the bite is off and the jaws are in the wrong position. Braces only move teeth the jaws/joint position as well as the musles and tongue are of crucial importance. They ALL have to work together.

|

thenumber12

replied on February 19th, 2008

New User

braces escalated my tmj symptoms. Seems like whoever's working on your teeth is trying to handle the tmj as well. I never wore a splint. Maybe it would've helped.

|

Search

Learn About Us

Get Help

Getting Started

Join In

Free Medical Forms

Community Guidelines

Do More

Become an Expert

Become a Partner

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc