annoying jaw....possible question for the docs!

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#1 Post by **Evieisgr8** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:40 pm

i dont know if this is an ortho question but sumone told me braces would fix it , so any info would be awesome. my Temporomandibular jaw keeps clicking and its starting to get on my nervs real bad! it been happening for about 3-4 weeks now and its not painful , it slightly aches but thats it,i looked on a website and it said sum sort of barces would fix it? if this is true, wat do the braces look like and are the permanent or semi etc coz i have already had braces once and reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally dont wanna go back to them !!! if ne one could give a me link to a picture of the kinda braces it would be that would be gr8 too xox

#2 Post by **dr.j** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:53 am

There is no data that suggests that braces can "fix" and TMJ problem. "Fix " is a term I would not care to use when communicating with a patient b/c it connotes a guarunteed result so to speak. I can tell that braces would not be a reliable way to go to correct a clicking jaw.

#3 Post by **Evieisgr8** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:50 am

thats such a shame, im going crazy!! is there any possible way that makes it go away or stops it a little bit?

#4 Post by **lianas** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:48 am

Maybe some equilibration of your teeth could help. Make sure you find a dentist who undersands how to do it or they could make your problem worse

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:ebm ... =clnk&cd=1
This is a web site on "The Balanced Jaw Concept"

#5 Post by **Attagirl2** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:40 am

Hi Evieisgr8. I am not a doctor, but have suffered form TMJ to the point where it would lock my jaw if I opened it too far. You can probably alleviate the "click" by having your dentist make you a night appliance. Basically, this is a piece of plastic (similar to the Invisalign brace) that covers your upper or lower teeth, but unlike the Invisalign, this appliance has a built up section behind the front teeth that does not allow your back teeth to meet, thus releaving pressure on your jaw at night. It is very possible that you have been grinding your teeth at night causing undo stress on your jaws. It worked for me. It is not hard to get used to and causes no discomfort. Good luck to you.

#6 Post by **Chris** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:00 pm

Evieisgr8 wrote: thats such a shame, im going crazy!! is there any possible way that makes it go away or stops it a little bit?

TMJ here too. I have found over the years that the clicking, pain, etc. comes and goes. You may have episodes of no discomfort and then the clicking and/or pain comes back. This is typical. Have your dentist check your bite so that you don't have any high points that you touch first.

Above all, you must learn to keep your teeth apart during the day and concentrate on relaxing your jaw. This may help you not to grind or clench at night.

As for braces "fixing" the problem, Dr J is right. Its not a "fix".

TMJ symptoms may or may NOT go away with orthodontia.
Reading some posts on this forum you will see that same patients get better after their bite is corrected and others don't. Sometimes all you can do is try to address the symptoms. There are lots of websites dealing with TMJ and self-help topics. Check them out. All the best to you!

P.S. Hey there, Attagirl, nice to see you again!

How is your orthodontia "saga" going?