Are you constantly dealing with jaw pain and not exactly sure why? When jaw pain becomes chronic, it’s important to get it examined by a dentist as it’s unlikely to go away on its own. This is especially the case if it’s determined that your bite is misaligned, which is a common precursor for developing conditions like TMJ disorder. This condition can easily worsen over time without dedicated treatment. Since Invisalign in Beachwood has been shown to specifically realign uneven bites, it begs the question: can Invisalign work to prevent TMJ-induced jaw pain?
How Bite Alignment Can Contribute to Jaw Pain
While there are many issues that can contribute to a higher risk for TMJ disorder, a misaligned bite is definitely one of the more common causes to keep in mind. When the upper and lower jaws are not even, it puts disproportionate amounts of force on the jaw joints (or the TMJ). This leads to chronic discomfort not just in your jaw joints, but in the facial muscles as well.
In more minor cases, TMJ disorder can be treated by introducing simple self-care practices that provide relief to the TMJ. However, more serious cases can be so severe that they require injections and open surgery to treat. The good news is treatments like Invisalign are specifically designed to realign the bite, meaning they can provide relief to the jaw joints in a less invasive way.
What Invisalign Can Do to Help
Invisalign is a system that works to straighten teeth and realign the bite through the use of several plastic aligners that gently shift teeth over time. The system is highly customized in order to target specific teeth and change the way in which the upper and lower jaws come together. When worn as intended, which is about 20 to 22 hours a day, the aligners will not only work to realign the bite, but also provide cushion for the teeth. This reduces damage to enamel as a result of teeth grinding and clenching, another common side effect present in TMJ disorders.
If you’re looking for ways to address varying severities of jaw discomfort and don’t want to pursue surgery or injections, Invisalign could provide a solution. Of course, it’s best to speak with an orthodontist or Invisalign provider directly to determine if treatment is right for you. For example, you should be willing to wear the aligners as instructed by the dentist and perform proper maintenance to keep them in good condition as treatment can takes 6 to 18 months to complete.
You don’t have to live with chronic jaw pain. Get in touch with a dentist today to learn how to give your TMJ in Beachwood the attention it needs!
About The Center for Advanced Dentistry
Dr. Hornstein and Dr. Schlessel provide multiple treatment solutions to resolve your biggest oral health concerns, including chronic conditions like TMJ disorder. Whether it’s Invisalign or another option, they’ll always take your needs into account and build a treatment plan that’s personalized to you. To schedule an appointment, you can contact them through their website.