Is there any chance that my child will develop a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problem from orthodontic treatment?
Yes and No. One of the first steps in standard orthodontic treatment is to examine your child’s temporomandibular joint (the joint where your child’s lower jaw connects to the skull) to screen for TMJ problems. If the initial screen does not reveal any weaknesses, then the orthodontist will proceed as normal. If any weaknesses are seen in the TMJ screening, the orthodontist will modify his treatment plan to make sure that no damage is done to your child’s temporomandibular joint. Most recent studies show that TMJ problems are not related to orthodontic treatment.
