suttbecks
08-20-2008, 02:39 PM
I'm a teen who has had braces for about 1 year and 1/2, hopefully getting them off soon. Recently, about 2 weeks or so after my last visit to the orthodontist, I began to develop ear and jaw pain similar to that caused by TMJ. I have a feeling of an ear "fullness", along with pain and stiffness around that area, and elsewhere on my jaw. Also, my ear often pops.
I was wondering if these are potentially caused by my braces, and if there is something I can do to help it.
I was wondering if these are potentially caused by my braces, and if there is something I can do to help it.
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nynavey
08-20-2008, 03:33 PM
Mention it to your orthodontist at the very next visit. I'm not sure it's caused by your braces, per se, but maybe by the new bite you're getting from them. From my understanding, the bite you end up with will either work with or against the muscles that hold your jaw in place. You want everything to work in harmony, of course. My dentist (and other research on the net) says you should not hear popping or grinding upon opening or closing of a healthy jaw. If you don't have pain, maybe it's not an issue? I have a 55-year-old aunt who's had popping/clicking in the jaw all her life and no real pain to speak of. That is something you and your parents must decide, but it's something your orthodontist will likely need to know.
I had braces at 13 and my jaw popped before and after they were taken off. My orthodontist knew my bite could not be corrected 100% without a major undertaking (surgery/wiring was the option back then), so he did the best he could with braces at our discretion. Fast forward almost 30 years and here I am with major migraines and headaches, trying to find an answer. There's no guarantee you will have the same results though. You are doing well to research this on your own, however, and it shows that you're taking this pretty seriously. It's a question that will do well to be addressed by a trained medical professional - the orthodontist.
I had braces at 13 and my jaw popped before and after they were taken off. My orthodontist knew my bite could not be corrected 100% without a major undertaking (surgery/wiring was the option back then), so he did the best he could with braces at our discretion. Fast forward almost 30 years and here I am with major migraines and headaches, trying to find an answer. There's no guarantee you will have the same results though. You are doing well to research this on your own, however, and it shows that you're taking this pretty seriously. It's a question that will do well to be addressed by a trained medical professional - the orthodontist.
pipdog
08-21-2008, 08:53 AM
Nynavey our stories sound very similar, I had braces as a teenager, fast forward 30 years and starting to get pain, pressure, and clicking around my left cheek. Long storey which I've posted elsewhere on here.
Question for Suttbecks: what kind of orthodontist are you being treated by?
When I was treated it was all 'Beautiful Smiles' with no consideration given to where the tmjs ended up. From research I've learned there is another school of though, 'functional jaw orthopaedics' which takes the whole teeth / muscle / joint triangle into consideration but they are seen as mavericks and the old school guys are circling the wagons.
Question for Suttbecks: what kind of orthodontist are you being treated by?
When I was treated it was all 'Beautiful Smiles' with no consideration given to where the tmjs ended up. From research I've learned there is another school of though, 'functional jaw orthopaedics' which takes the whole teeth / muscle / joint triangle into consideration but they are seen as mavericks and the old school guys are circling the wagons.