Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that can do much more than just improve the appearance of your smile. By aligning your teeth, Invisalign can reduce stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which in turn decreases inflammation and pain caused by TMJ disorder. A misaligned bite is often a major contributing factor to TMJ, and when the teeth are not properly aligned, the TMJ undergoes additional stress and can become painfully inflamed. Invisalign is able to correct most mild to moderate bite problems, such as overbite, underbite, and cross-bite. As teeth gradually move into their proper positions, it can decrease the amount of stress on the TMJ and significantly reduce TMJ symptoms.
However, one of the most common causes of TMJ disorder is jaw misalignment. The most logical and effective solution to correct this problem is braces. Through Invisalign, the lower jaw and upper jaw are repositioned correctly to align your smile, making it not only look better, but also eliminate pain and discomfort. If you wake up regularly with jaw pain or tension headaches, there is a good chance that you are grinding or clenching your teeth at night, also known as bruxism. Side effects of bruxism during sleep can include eroded enamel, cracked teeth, and recession of the gums.
In addition, the temporomandibular joint only hurts and the facial muscles become painful. Jaw misalignment is a common cause of TMJ disorder. Traditional metal braces and Invisalign can be used to correctly reposition the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, eliminating TMJ problems and providing a beautiful, aligned smile. Let's go back to our first question: Can braces or Invisalign help with TMD problems? There is a lot of scientific research on the effect of orthodontic treatment in relation to TMD, however, the evidence is not clear. I would never recommend to a patient with TMD problems that braces will fix everything. In my professional opinion, I believe that aligning your teeth and fixing the bite can have some benefits in keeping you pain-free. In my treatment of thousands of patients, I have noticed that patients with imperfect bites tend to show more wear on their teeth than patients with perfect bites, and this theory has been proven by some research. Yes, braces can help with TMD problems, but they are not a “guaranteed solution”.
Orthodontists who provide Invisalign treatment to their patients on a daily basis are going to have an advantage over their colleagues who mostly work with metal braces. The best way to address TMJ varies from case to case, but in some cases it is possible to correct the TMJ with Invisalign. Over time, the grinding will decrease, not because of the presence of aligners but because Invisalign straightens the bite so that it is healthy and aligned.Carole Sherrod Jewell of Red Bank Dentistry in Red Bank, NJ can help you find out if Invisalign is right for you. When Invisalign first appeared on the scene a few decades ago it was mostly considered as a cosmetic treatment. However if you consider the benefits of Invisalign you could protect your smile from sleep bruxism while aligning it at the same time. We offer a range of services in addition to Invisalign including cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and restorative dentistry such as dental implants.
Patients with TMJ disorder benefit from having a better bite and Invisalign makes it possible while alleviating the side effects of tooth grinding in the process. They will evaluate the position of your teeth and jaw before determining if Invisalign is right for your circumstances. Orthodontic patients using Invisalign already feel that they have won the lottery because they have been considered a good candidate for this innovative orthodontic alternative. After careful evaluation your dentist can determine that Invisalign has the potential to relieve pain and improve your oral health. While appointing an Invisalign provider is important it's just one aspect of orthodontist practice that you should consider when choosing where to go. Before Invisalign completely corrects your bite you may need to talk to your dentist about other methods you can use to treat TMD symptoms. They offer a wide range of services including Invisalign regular bodyguards for bruxism and more. Invisalign aligners also realign the upper and lower jaws so you can open and close your mouth to chew and speak properly which can also relieve TMD symptoms.
