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Waking up with jaw pain or headaches is a common sign of a TMJ disorder. As there are multiple reasons for this issue, you need to find the perfect treatment to prevent it. Getting rid of TMJ disorders as soon as possible is ideal since they can worsen with time.
In the orthodontic world, where there are multiple solutions for treating this dental issue, it has been debated whether a retainer prevents TMJ or not. Before completely relying on retainers, it is crucial to understand the purpose of this dental product. In this blog, we will explore the temporomandibular joint disorder and figure out if retainers are a suitable option to prevent it or not.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorder is a dental issue that impacts the jaw joints of a patient, leading to severe pain. Temporomandibular joints are present on each side of the face, right in front of the ears. These joints connect your jaws to the skull and are responsible for jaw functions such as talking, biting, or chewing. According to research, people from 20 to 40 years of age are more likely to develop this disorder.
A TMJ disorder can further lead to the following problems:
- Chewing disability
- Bruxism
- Popping sound when moving the jaw
- Severe jaw pain
What is a Retainer?
When patients complete their teeth straightening procedure and achieve a new alignment, the teeth can still revert to their original position. To maintain the new smile, retainers are used.
It is an orthodontic device placed inside the mouth that keeps your teeth positioned. It is custom-made and offers a perfect fit while keeping the teeth firm in their position.
Types of Retainers
If you want to get a retainer for your smile, there are multiple options available in the market. It is important to know the common types of retainers mentioned below:
1. Hawley Retainers
These are metal retainers customized according to your mouth. It has a wire that keeps the front teeth in position and a plastic or acrylic base that touches the roof of the mouth. They are visible, which is why they might not suit a self-conscious individual.
2. Clear Retainers
Clear retainers are another type available in the market and are worth the hype. These are plastic dental trays customized with the help of your dental impressions. They are barely noticeable and easily removable as well. With the help of clear retainers, you can now maintain your smile without letting anybody know.
Using a Retainer For TMJ
Since a retainer covers your smile and keeps your teeth in position, it might help in providing relief from TMJ. But before you opt for a retainer, it is important to know that it also depends on a person’s dental condition. A retainer cannot be suitable for a patient with severe TMJ disorder.
Benefits of Using a Retainer for TMJ
The following are some ways in which the retainer works for TMJ:
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Prevents Teeth Grinding
Are you wondering if a retainer works for teeth grinding or not? The answer is yes. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a dental issue in which the patient clenches the teeth. Stress and anxiety are common reasons for this.
To tackle this condition, a retainer safeguards your smile by acting as a guard between the jaws . This prevents the jaws from coming into contact and avoids teeth grinding. Therefore, using a retainer lessens the chances for TMJ.
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Relaxes Jaw Muscles
The pressure is exerted on the jaws when a person clenches the teeth. This can further lead to muscle tension and discomfort in the jaws. For this sake, wearing a retainer keeps your jaws apart and releases tension. Hence, a retainer relaxes the muscle and offers relief from the TMJ pain.
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Comfortable
Young boy wearing clear retainers. When we talk about dental treatment, comfort is always the priority. Since retainers are plastic trays that are customized according to your mouth, they offer enhanced comfort. The customization is done so that this dental appliance does not irritate your gums and cheeks.
Furthermore, since clear retainers are easily removable at home, they do not require any dental visit. You can now protect your smile and experience relief from TMJ disorders with a removable and comfortable dental product.
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Promotes Proper Posture
Since retainers are responsible for keeping your teeth aligned in place, it indirectly helps in promoting proper facial posture as well. When the bite of a person is not properly aligned, it puts stress on temporomandibular joints.
Wearing a retainer keeps your bite in the correct position and gives relief to TMJ, pain. A healthier facial posture encourages a better resting position for your jaws, preventing muscle stress and pain.
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Affordable
An affordable dental product can be a requirement for everyone. While there can be other options for TMJ pain relief, a retainer seems to be the most affordable one out of all. Its enhanced protection and removability make it a perfect option for TMJ patients.
Limitations For Wearing Retainer For TMJ
No doubt a retainer offers multiple benefits for TMJ but it also comes with some limitations mentioned below:
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Offers Temporary Relief
A retainer might not be a permanent solution for TMJ disorders. A retainer only gives relief when wearing it as it relaxes the jaw. But after you remove it, you might feel a painful sensation again.
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Prevents Severe Conditions
A retainer can not be a perfect option for severe or long-term temporomandibular joint disorders, as it is only suitable for mild to moderate issues.
How To Keep Retainers Clean?
To improve the longevity of retainers and experience enhanced hygiene, the following tips can help you keep your retainers clean:
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Wash Daily
Before wearing a retainer, make sure to rinse it with water to remove any germs present on it. Not only this, but you need to rinse your retainer after taking it off your smile as well to make it ready for the next use.
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Brushing
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean your retainer gently. This practice improves the longevity of the retainer and removes any tartar layer on the surface of this dental appliance.
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Avoid Hot Water
While washing your retainers, do not use too much hot water since they are made up of plastic and can get damaged.
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Use a Case
To prevent germs from getting in contact with your retainer, make sure you keep it in a plastic case. This keeps your retainer safe and also helps prevent losing it.
Order Retainer From ALIGNERCO
ALIGNERCO considers all your requirements and offers customized clear retainers. To retain your smile or to get relief from TMJ, you can now get your retainers in the following way:
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At-Home Smile Impressions
With the help of an impression kit that comes with all the required things and a detailed guide, create your dental impression at home for customization.
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Send Them Back
Once the smile impressions are created, you need to send them back to us.
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Manufacturing of Custom Retainers
Once we receive your impressions, our team will start manufacturing your custom retainers.
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Receive Your Retainer
In a matter of just a few days, you will receive the customized retainers at your doorstep. Wear them and get relief from TMJ pain.
To sum it up, it is crucial to understand the symptoms and causes of TMJ disorder. If you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth at night, treat it right away. When your jaw muscles experience stress and get sore, it is a clear hint of a temporomandibular joint disorder. Wearing a retainer can be a comfortable and convenient way to get relief from mild to moderate TMJ pain, but you need to consult your dentist as well. For severe dental conditions, a retainer might not be helpful. Hence, going through the right treatment is crucial for your dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a retainer help with TMJ pain?
Wearing a retainer might help with moderate TMJ pain by keeping your jaw positioned and offering stability. It acts as a cushion between the jaws and avoids teeth grinding or clenching.
2. Can retainer cause TMJ?
No! Wearing a retainer can not cause TMJ but keeps your jaw aligned properly and prevents clicking or popping of the jaws.
3. After a TMJ surgery, what are the best retainers for teeth?
For a person who went through TMJ surgery, comfort can be a priority. For this sake, clear retainers are the most suitable option as they are customized according to the size of your mouth and are easily removable as well.
