Ok, I didn't think I'd be posting on here anymore but I've possibly developed a problem. Today I went to the ortho coz my bottom permanent retainer had come loose. The assistant fixed that, so its fine. While she was working on me my jaw kept popping. It's done that a little bit in the past, not a lot, pretty much only at the ortho when I have to hold my mouth open for ages. Or occassionly when I yawn or something. But this time it was quite a bit, and the ortho and her assistant seemed a bit concerned about it (they were new staff, had never met them before). And the ortho said "oh we will have to watch that". I am due to have my final retainer check (for my removable) in September, then I wear that every 2nd night (currently wearing it every night) for another year, then I don't have to go in anymore. Anyway I'm wondering could I possibly have TMJ or whatever its called? Or maybe I was holding my mouth funny? Like tensely or something (due to the fact the staff were different- don't like change!). I do have a job holding my mouth open for ages, they keep having to say "open" "wider". Lol. Anyway, could someone explain to me what TMJ is and if what I have sounds like it. It wasn't mentioned, its just something I remember seeing mentioned when I used to come on here all the time! I really hope I don't have it as I have been in treatment for soooo long! Thanks.

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Treatment by a Cosmetic Dentist:
1/3/07-22/11/07: removable appliances
22/11/07-10/2/09: Innovation C on uppers
8/1?/08-10/2/09: Innovation R on lowers
Ortho:
25/2/09-29/8/11: Clarity brackets
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Hey Danz,

I'm not an ortho but have similar clicking (only I'm just embarking on my braces journey and hope that a better bite will help fix things a bit). The following advice is what I got from my ortho:

Sounds like it is a little problem in the TMJ (temporo mandibular joint or however you spell it). Most probably the muscles have become tense and tired from opening your jaws for so long and there is a little disc in that joint that can become a little dislocated but it may just settle down on its own once the muscles relax.

It may also be an indicator that you have been grinding your teeth or tensing these muscles during sleep, which could require you to wear a bite splint at night to keep these muscles relaxed and stop grinding on your teeth (its similar to a retainer). My ortho said its a little like you tensing your hand into a claw all night while you sleep and you wake up in the morning unable to straighten your fingers out again properly.

My ortho also suggested I see a physio for relaxation and muscle strengthening exercises that will help. It can also help to reduce stress and have your neck muscles looked at for any tightness.

Hope this helps? And I hope it settles soon

Does your jaw hurt? If not, I wouldn't worry about it too much if matters don't change. But be careful not to overextend your jaw. I was having TMJ symptoms several years ago, and the solution was simply to stop eating large sandwiches which required me to open my mouth wider than it wanted to go.