TMJ Flaring up

[justjenn]

I've had TMJ since I can remember though wasn't actually diagnosed till I started looking in to getting braces. When I was kid my jaw would lock several times a day (back then I thought it was normal since I never went to a dentist). It was doing it again really bad end of Dec. through a few weeks before I got my braces. I thought it was gone, but now that I've been in braces just over 3 weeks, it's flaring up again.

Is this normal? Should I talk to my ortho at my next appt.? Jaw surgery consult has already been done and my oral surgeon knows I have it and have it for several years. It hurts, and while I'm taking advil, I'm wondering why it's acting up and if I'm doing something wrong.

Please help!

[mikeg]

is your bite off.. my bite is slightly off and I have TMJ and it worries my that it is getting worse and could continue to get worse over time... I'm considering getting the surgery if insurance will cover it so I don't have to deal with the pain, but it is not that severe not for me to really go crazy about it... I'd just rather have the surgery while young than go through it later...

[justjenn]

yes I have a bad overbite

[Sunny]

Jenn contact your ortho and ask for advice.

There is considerable thought that orthodontics don't affect TMJ, but there's a need to work on muscle relaxing and other issues to help TMJ.

Definitely seek advice and good luck with finding relief.

[justjenn]

Thanks Sunny. I spoke to my dentist today at church and he doesn't think the TMJ should be acting like this with braces, should be getting better. He told me to call my ortho in the morning and let them know. He thinks maybe my teeth are moving too fast.