Worried about general jaw carriage

[EighthPlanet]

I don't often close my mouth all the way to touch my molars unless I'm chewing. It's uncomfortable for me; it feels like it has to softly click into place. My ortho didn't feel or hear any of this clicking when I told her about it, but I obviously know it's there. The most comfortable position for me is to have my jaw hanging loose, lips closed, with my tongue sandwiched in between ALL of my teeth, even the molars. My jaw is also forward in this position; it is the act of sliding it backwards and up together that makes it slick into place. Sometimes it even sounds like a crunch. Again, it's really soft, but I can feel it myself from putting my hand on my jaw.

My worry is of course that in an attempt to correct my bite, my ortho is going to use rubber bands to pull my jaw back... and I'm going to be uncomfortable or even in pain! She did tell me to let her know if I ever experience pain back there, so I will. I'm just wondering if the way I carry my jaw is actually okay or not.

[Stephanie]

even with the rubber bands in, your jaws are not closed tight, so you will still have room to work with what is comfortable for you.

I too, don't walk around with my jaws closed.. i like them slightly open and only touch molars when chewing also.

[Zoso]

You should only touch the teeth together when biting or chewing.

As to the rest, if you do have any issues with the TMJ, even incipient ones, it is possible thatthis might be aggravated by elastics, and it is certainly something to be aware of and watch for. Beyond that, I am not sure.