AboutSteven C. Scherr, D.D.S. Expertise My expertise is in the areas of TMJ Dysfunction, Tension Headaches and Occluso-muscle Disorders. I am a dentist with 19 years of experience, including hospital residency (Sinai Hospital of Baltimore), and training at the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. Currently in private TMJ Dysfunction and Comprehensive Rehabilitative Practice near Baltimore, Maryland.
Experience I was the Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School in 1981. I served as a General Practice Resident at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1981-82, and have been in private practice since that time. My practice is now located in Owings Mills, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. My studies at the L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education in Florida has enriched my practice and my patients. It was there that I learned the true meaning of caring and excellence.
Question I have a clicking noise in my right jaw that has been intermittent my enitre life. I am 32 years old due to overcrowding in my mouth it has been advised to get braces. My concern is that a friend of mine had a simliar situation as myself and now she has developed severe pain in her jaw and head.
I am about to get consultations with a few orthodontists. Should I continue with the process? I am a bit hesitant because of the pain my friend is going through. How can I ensure I will not develop TMJ/TMD symptoms. What equipment to orthodontists have to make sure I will be pain free? I feel my friend because she is going through a lot.
Answer Brandon,
Thank you for asking. Clicking from one or both jaw joints is a common situation. In fact, 70-80% of adults will develop clicking in one or both jaw joints sometime during their lifetime. This is not a concern under normal circumstances as long as there is no pain, and there is no problem eating or speaking.
Clicking joints can become painful at any time. Fortunately, they usually do not. Orthodontic treatment does place some unavoidable additional strain on the jaw joints. This can lead to jaw pain if the jaw joints have already been sufficiently damaged. Most adults with clicking do not experience this problem when receiving orthodontic treatment. However, some do. Your orthodontist can tell if you are at risk. However, no one can tell if you will develop jaw pain for certain.
