Table of Contents
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TMJ Disorder: What Is It?
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What Are Retainers?
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How Retainers Help with TMJ Pain
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Provide Jaw Stability
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Relax Muscles
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Reduce and Prevent Bruxism
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Non-Surgical Solution
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Affordable Treatment
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Comfort and Snug Fit
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Encourages the Proper Biting Process
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Retainer Limitations
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Smilepath: Your One-Stop Retainer Solution
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Summing Up
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FAQs
Are you suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) related problems? There can be various reasons for TMJ-related discomfort, and you need to seek the ideal approach to reducing pain related to it.
When it comes to managing TMJ-related pain, many consider choosing retainers to treat this pain. And while these devices can offer tailored solutions for teeth retention, are they a viable option for TMJ pain?
In this blog, we will be exploring if retainers can help with TMJ-related issues. Let us dig in!
TMJ Disorder: What Is It?
A TMJ disorder affects the jaw or face joints, potentially causing discomfort. Certain joint positions that are located on your face side connect your jaws to the skull. As a result, these joint positions can negatively affect your biting, speaking, or chewing methods.
TMJ disorders can arise from a variety of causes, including strain on the joints that control your speech, chewing, and swallowing actions. These can also develop due to other dental conditions such as bruxism (teeth grinding) or trauma to the neck or head region.
Certain possible issues that you might face related to TMJ disorders include:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Headaches
- Popping sounds with jaw movement.
- Jaw pain
- Biting problems
What Are Retainers?
These are custom-made devices that help you maintain your new teeth's alignment position after completing orthodontic treatment. Retainers reduce the chances for patients' teeth to shift or relapse. Custom-made retainers ensure a snug fit, securing the position of your teeth.
Types of Retainer
Hawley Retainer
This type of retainer has metal wires that go around the front side of your teeth and has a plastic, acrylic base for support. It is quite durable and might require certain adjustments or repairs from the dentist.
However, the retainer does not provide the discreet aesthetic that many people desire.
Clear Retainer
We manufacture these from custom smooth medical-grade plastic. Clear retainers provide you with convenience and simple maintenance, enabling you to undergo discreet treatment without compromising your unique lifestyle.
How Retainers Help with TMJ Pain
The main purpose of a retainer is to retain your new teeth' position after finishing the orthodontic process. However, they can also help reduce TMJ-related pain or issues for those who are not ready to commit to TMJ-focused therapy or devices. Some of these ways include:
Provide Jaw Stability
Retainers help stabilize your jaw joints through proper alignment. If you have a misaligned bite, it can provide great stress on your TMJ joint, leading to chronic pain. Retainers can reduce the extra pain by maintaining your correct jaw alignment.
Relax Muscles
TMJ-related issues often result from muscle tension originating in the jaws. Retainers can provide relief by reducing muscle tension through exerting pressure and relaxing. Therefore, you feel less pain during severe spasms related to TMJ.
Reduce and Prevent Bruxism
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can often lead to TMJ complications. Retainers can serve as a cushion between your lower or upper teeth, preventing contact and thereby reducing the effects of bruxism. As a result, reducing stress on joints can help relieve discomfort and pain.
Non-Surgical Solution
Because they don't require special intervention, retainers help patients relieve TMJ pain. They provide convenience regarding usability and removability. This makes them ideal for patients seeking alternative treatment options.
Affordable Treatment
In comparison to various TMJ-associated treatments or therapies, custom retainers offer an affordable solution. These are much less costly and easily available, making them an ideal choice for TMJ patients who want relief without the premium costs.
Comfort and Snug Fit
Because they are custom-fit for your teeth, retainers offer both comfort and convenience. You can easily remove them, and they offer maximum comfort, which helps keep your jaw aligned and reduce pain from TMJ issues.
Encourages the Proper Biting Process
You can enhance your bite and reduce TMJ-related pain by using retainers. These help align your jaw, which encourages better bite and facial posture.
Retainer Limitations
Despite a retainer's numerous advantages, it also carries certain limitations. Retainers may not be suitable for patients suffering from complex TMJ cases. For patients who have serious TMJ-related problems, retainers might not be the most ideal treatment option.
Smilepath: Your One-Stop Retainer Solution
You can easily obtain your custom retainer from Smilepath and ensure your radiant smile while reducing TMJ-related pain and discomfort. Simply follow the following steps:
- Provide your dental impression mold through the provided impression kit and mail it back to the provided address.
- Experienced dentists will supervise the creation of your custom retainers using the latest technology.
- Get your retainers delivered to your doorstep and start your journey towards a special smile.
Summing Up
Retainers can provide an ideal intervention for lowering issues related to TMJ problems in patients. They provide temporary relief from teeth grinding (bruxism) and stress exerted on your jaw joints. However, retainers are not ideal for patients suffering from severe TMJ problems.
To learn about the best TMJ treatment options, consult a dentist.
FAQs
These are orthodontic devices that help maintain your new teeth alignment after clear aligner treatment.
Retainers can reduce the complications and pain associated with TMJ symptoms but cannot provide complete relief.
Retainers align your jaw, which helps reduce stress on your jaw joints and bones, resulting in less pain and discomfort during chewing or sleeping
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