Can Braces or Invisalign Fix TMJ Disorder? What You Need to Know Before Starting Treatment

I was recently chatting with a US-based orthodontist colleague about the role of orthodontics in TMJ disorder (TMD). He has extensive experience working with complex jaw cases, and his advice aligned well with what we see every week in our clinic: orthodontic treatment can help—but only when the TMJ is stable first. The sequence of care matters just as much as the treatment itself.

Why treating the TMJ first is essential

He explained that when the joint is already irritated or inflamed, introducing orthodontic forces can increase muscle tension, headaches, or bite-related pain. This matches what some patients have told us, they began braces with mild discomfort and ended up dealing with far more severe jaw symptoms months later.

A phased approach works best

His recommendation aligns well with the approach we recommend here at Dental Physiotherapy in Buderim.

Phase One: Settle the joint and muscles

Before anyone considers orthodontics, the first job is to calm the irritated tissues and restore movement. Here at Dental Physiotherapy, this often involves:

• specific advice on what to do and, most importantly, what not to do with your jaw

• gentle manual therapy to the jaw, neck, and face

• dry needling to deactivate tender muscular trigger points when appropriate

• laser therapy or ultrasound for pain and inflammation

• medical acupuncture for muscle overactivity and pain relief

• collaboration with a TMD-aware dentist, we work with many brilliant dentists and orthodontists who know all about this approach

  
  

This early phase reduces overloading and gives the TMJ time to recover.

Phase Two: Consider orthodontic treatment (if needed)

Once the jaw is stable and symptoms have settled, braces or Invisalign may become appropriate. According to my colleague, orthodontics can be helpful when significant bite issues are likely contributing to joint or muscle strain. Adults and children can benefit, but only when treatment is planned by practitioners who understand both craniofacial anatomy and TMJ mechanics.

When braces or Invisalign may help

They can be useful when:

• the bite contributes to ongoing jaw strain

• the teeth don’t meet in a way that lets the jaw rest comfortably

• early jaw development issues are involved

• airway and tongue position influence jaw loading

  
  

When orthodontics may worsen symptoms

Problems tend to arise when:

• the joint is inflamed and sore before treatment begins

• the bite is changed too quickly

• orthodontic treatment focuses only on tooth position

• muscle overactivity and neck tension aren’t addressed at the same time

This is why a combined approach—dentistry, physiotherapy, and sometimes medical support—typically leads to better long-term comfort.

A whole-body perspective

Jaw pain rarely happens alone. We regularly see links with neck stiffness, clenching during sleep, shoulder load, and breathing habits. Understanding these patterns allows us to design treatment that suits the person, not just the diagnosis.

Not sure where to begin?

If you’re considering braces or Invisalign because of jaw pain or clicking, the best starting point is an assessment of your jaw and related muscles in collaboration with your orthodontist. If the joint is calm, orthodontic care may then be part of the solution. If it’s irritated, we can guide you through the right early steps to make sure your jaw settled before any bite changes begin.

Need some help?

If you’d like an assessment or simply want to ask a few questions, we’re here to help.

By Simon