There is no straightforward answer to your question but i will try my best to answer.
Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorders ( TMD) is a condition that is notoriously difficult to treat. It's causes are often difficult to determine and are multifactorial in nature.
Some of the common causes are:
1. Sleep related movement disorders for eg: Bruxism
2. TMJ Disk displacement due to wear and tear or trauma
3. Arthritis of the cartilage in the TMJ
It is not unusual for a general dentist to refer a patient who has TMD to a dental specialist for management of the case , due to its complex nature. Usually a specialist Prosthodontist or a specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with a special interest in TMD management.
Having said that, i would be very cautious in telling you that changing your bite will guarantee an improvement in your TMD.
However, if you do have a severely imbalanced bite, causing your Jaw joint to compensate by moving out of its most stable position, then improving your bite so that the jaw joint moves back to its most comfortable resting position , may improve symptoms.
Your dentist needs to be very thorough in understanding the causes of TMD in YOUR case so that he or she may prescribe the best treatment that would be only suitable for YOU. This may or may not involve changing your bite.
There is unfortunately no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the management of TMD.
I hope this answer helps you and i wish you all the best in finding a TMD dentist whom you can trust and have rapport with.
Kind Regards,
Dr Gerald Tan
