The Link Between Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and Shifting Teeth

If you’ve started to notice that your teeth are no longer lining up correctly, you might be having trouble with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ disorder is a blanket term used to describe any number of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint or cause it to become damaged or inflamed.

The TMJ is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw and skull. If this hinge joint becomes damaged or swollen, it may result in headaches, pain, or clicking noises when the jaw is moved.

TMJ Disorder and Teeth Shifting

The reason why TMJ issues may cause your teeth to feel misaligned is due to the misalignment of the jaw. If the ball and socket joints are no longer aligned properly, your teeth will feel like they don’t fit together properly anymore. To fix the problem, a splint may be placed on the lower jaw to help keep it in place while it heals.

Lastly, the wisdom teeth can also contribute to the shifting of teeth and TMJ disorder. Sometimes the emergence of the wisdom teeth can cause problems with the temporomandibular joint causing it to become misaligned. Usually the removal of the wisdom teeth is enough to fix the problem, but if not, a splint may still be used.

If you’re having trouble with your temporomandibular joint, please don’t hesitate to contact Meadows Family Dental. It’s important to us that our patients are comfortable. To make an appointment, please contact our Castle Rock, Colorado general dental office today.