Can Plastic Fix a Jaw Problem?

Many patients assume that clear aligners like Invisalign are purely for “social six” straightening—making the front teeth look pretty.

While they are excellent for aesthetics, modern aligner systems are also powerful orthopedic instruments. In my practice, I use them to treat complex bite issues (Malocclusions) that affect the health of the jaw joint (TMJ).

The “Cushion” Effect

One immediate benefit of aligners for TMJ sufferers is the material itself. The plastic acts as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth.

• De-programming muscles: By preventing the teeth from interlocking in their old, pathologic bite, the jaw muscles can relax.
• Bruxism protection: The aligner functions as a nightguard, protecting enamel from grinding wear.

Correcting the Bite Architecture

TMJ pain is often caused by a discrepancy between where the jaw wants to be (the joint position) and where the teeth force it to be (the bite).

We use Invisalign to engineer a Bite Correction:

1. Deep Bites: We can “intrude” (push down) the front teeth to open the bite, relieving pressure on the retrodiscal tissues of the jaw joint.
2. Crossbites: We can expand the upper arch to allow the lower jaw to sit comfortably without shifting to the side.
3. Open Bites: We can close open bites (where front teeth don’t touch) by gently pushing the back molars into the bone, allowing the jaw to rotate closed.

Surgery vs. Orthodontics

In the past, severe skeletal discrepancies often required jaw surgery. Today, with the precision of digital planning and the use of auxiliary elastics with aligners, we can “camouflage” moderate skeletal issues without a scalpel.

A straight smile is beautiful. A functional, pain-free bite is priceless.