There are a host of issues that can arise from crooked teeth, including the diminished confidence of a less-than-appealing smile, but your teeth’s alignment is about more than looks; it’s about balance, which is a necessary component of a well-functioning mouth. Your Los Angeles orthodontist, Dr. David Alpan, believes it’s important to know the intricacies of your oral health, and enjoys helping patients find their smiles’ perfect balance through customized orthodontic treatment. Today, we explore a vital dysfunction that can result from unattended crooked teeth called TMJ disorder, which can negatively affect your smile’s integrity and the components that make it move.
Why Balance is Important
Your jaw is hinged to your skull at the temporal bones in front of each ear, and the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) move in tandem as your mouth opens and closes. When healthy and perfectly-aligned, your jaw displaces the pressure of your bite evenly among the joints and muscles that move it and the teeth that absorb the impact. When your teeth are crooked, however, the balance of your bite is disrupted, and your jaw’s joints as well as your teeth can suffer from TMJ disorder resulting from undue stress and pressure. When left untreated, the imbalance can excessively wear down your teeth and compromise their structures, as well as damage your jaw’s joints and cause often-debilitating chronic jaw pain.
Straightening Teeth to Relieve Chronic Jaw Pain
In many cases, straightening crooked teeth can ease chronic jaw pain and other TMJ disorder symptoms by restoring the balance your smile requires. As part of your personalized orthodontic treatment, your Los Angeles orthodontist offers a variety of braces to suit your needs. For instance, many adults interact with a multitude of strangers and clients on a daily basis, and confidence in their appearance may play a significant role in their professional lives. For the image-conscious adult orthodontic patient, Dr. Alpan may recommend Invisalign clear braces, which utilize a series of clear acrylic aligners instead of traditional brackets and wires. Your removable aligners will be as convenient as they are discrete, allowing you to enjoy important lunch dates and social functions without worrying about your braces being noticed.
Learn More About TMJ Disorder from Your Los Angeles Orthodontist
To learn more about the TMJ disorder and consequences of crooked teeth, or to learn your options for straightening them, schedule an appointment with your Los Angeles orthodontist by calling 213-513-7559 today for a free initial consultation. Located in the 90057 area, we proudly serve patients across Los Angeles and all surrounding communities. For your convenience, we also have orthodontic offices in Century City in and Larchmont.