Jaw Pain and Clear Aligners: What Patients Should Know

Jaw pain, clicking and tension headaches are common, and many people wonder whether straightening their teeth will help or hurt. The honest answer is more nuanced than most ads suggest. Here's what patients should know before starting clear aligners.

The temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull just in front of your ears. Problems with these joints or the chewing muscles are grouped under the term TMD. Symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping, a jaw that locks or doesn't open fully, and headaches or ear-area pain.

Research hasn't shown that orthodontic treatment reliably causes TMD, and it also hasn't shown that straightening teeth reliably cures it. Jaw pain often involves muscle tension, clenching, stress, posture and joint changes that alignment alone doesn't address. Aligners are a treatment for tooth position, not a treatment for jaw joint disorders.

• They'll ask about pain, clicking, locking and headaches.
• They'll check how wide you can open and whether your jaw moves smoothly.
• They'll press gently on your jaw muscles and joints to check for tenderness.
• If you have significant symptoms, they may recommend treating those first or referring you to a specialist.

Recording how your jaw feels before treatment also makes it easier to tell later whether any change is related to your aligners.

• Expect pressure on your teeth for a day or two with each new set — that's normal and different from joint pain.
• Avoid clenching on your trays during the day; keep teeth slightly apart when you're not chewing.
• Choose softer foods for the first days of each new set.
• Report new clicking, locking or joint pain that lasts more than a few days.

Nighttime grinding can make jaw muscles sore in the morning. Let your provider know; they may adjust your plan or recommend a night guard after treatment.

If you have jaw symptoms and want straighter teeth, start with a thorough exam. An Infinity Aligner certified provider will assess your jaw and bite before recommending any treatment.