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Can Invisalign Cause Headaches?

A smiling man in a dental chair eagerly awaiting care
While Invisalign clear aligners can be a great way to correct minor issues with teeth alignment, it is very important that you are a good candidate for treatment and that your Woburn and Winchester dentist understands how to create an orthodontic plan that takes the full jaw into account, not just the teeth. Otherwise, side effects such as headaches and TMJ disorder can occur.

How Does Invisalign Cause Headaches?

Your face, jaw, and teeth are all connected, and moving the teeth can cause the jaw to become misaligned. This in turn can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Headaches
  • Jaw pain
  • Earaches
  • Neck pain
  • Difficulty opening the jaw
  • Jaw popping or grinding

When Invisalign treatment is carefully thought out and monitored closely, these symptoms can be avoided or stopped before they get too bad. In some cases, however, Invisalign may not be the correct choice for you.

Dr. Clancy also offers full face orthodontics at our Woburn and Winchester dental office, which is a more extensive treatment that encourages jaw growth in order to make room for crowded teeth. During your consultation, he will perform an extensive examination in order to recommend the best possible treatment to help you straighten your teeth in a healthy manner with minimal risk of TMJ.

Is Invisalign Right For You?

Invisalign does not always cause headaches and other side effects. In fact, in some cases, it can help to relieve existing TMJ symptoms. The key is making sure the jaw and teeth are in their ideal position unique to your anatomy.

An in-person consultation is required to know if Invisalign is a good option for you, but in general, the ideal Invisalign candidate:

  • Has mild to moderate crookedness, crowding, or gapping of the teeth
  • Is committed to seeing the treatment through to the end
  • Has enough space in the mouth to fit all teeth comfortably
  • Does not grind or clench their teeth

If you have a complex case that may require extractions or surgery, full face orthodontics may be a better option. However, Dr. Clancy will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure in detail with you so that you can make an informed decision as to which would be best for your needs and lifestyle.

Schedule a Consultation For Invisalign in Woburn and Winchester Today

Crooked teeth are not only cosmetically unappealing, but they can cause difficulties with brushing and flossing that can lead to tooth decay. Straightening your teeth will not only help you achieve a more attractive smile, but it will also help your overall oral health and hygiene.

If you have misaligned teeth that you would like to straighten for cosmetic or oral health reasons, call Dr. Clancy today at (781) 396-8558 to schedule your consultation.

By Ryan M. Clancy, DMD, MAGD, LVIF, FPFA, FIAPA | September 5th, 2018 | Invisalign, TMJ

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