Invisalign and teeth straightening
Teeth Straightening and Jaw-Joint Symptoms: What to Know
Jaw pain, joint noises and impaired function can occur in temporomandibular disorders.
Talk to us about straightening your teeth
You might have a particular change in mind, or simply want to know what is possible. At a £30 consultation, we can talk through your goals and explain how the next steps are planned.
Assess the pain and the orthodontic finding separately
Straightening teeth should not be promised as a cure for jaw-joint symptoms. Jaw pain, joint noises and difficulty using the jaw can occur with temporomandibular disorders, often shortened to TMD, and need their own assessment. The chronic-pain guideline discussed here covers symptoms lasting at least three months and excludes acute TMD pain. A new painful symptom therefore needs assessment before choosing an appropriate treatment pathway. [1]
Do not promise that tooth straightening will cure every jaw symptom
Orthodontic treatment may be appropriate for a diagnosed alignment or bite problem even when jaw pain is also present. The two treatment goals need to be clear. If tooth movement is proposed to help pain, the clinician should explain the evidence for that particular recommendation; changing tooth positions alone does not prove that pain will improve predictably. [2][1]
Chronic TMD care has its own evidence base
For chronic TMD pain, the guideline supports several conservative approaches, including suitable education, exercise, and psychological or manual therapies. The right choice depends on the clinical findings and on whether the guidance applies to the symptoms being treated. These recommendations are intended to guide care, rather than provide a self-treatment plan for unexplained jaw pain. [1]
Agree outcomes that can be reviewed
Agree whether treatment aims to improve alignment, bite function, pain or a combination of these, and how each outcome will be reviewed. A review of TMD self-management research found limitations in study quality, overlapping studies and the outcomes that matter to patients. That uncertainty is another reason to be cautious of any single technique offered as a guaranteed answer to all these concerns. [3]
Research and guidance
Your next step, when you’re ready
We would be pleased to welcome you for a £30 consultation at your preferred Iconic Smiles practice. Bring your questions, and we can talk through the options that may suit you.
Any additional investigations and their fees will be explained before you decide.