Invisalign retainer has caused me jaw problem after stop wearing them. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

I think I have had an adverse reaction to Invisalign retainers over the past few years. I think they have caused me jaw issues (chronic facial tension radiating to all areas in my face and associated with droopy eyelids and jaw clicking and aberrant jaw positions, etc., and I can move this tension around with purposeful movements of facial muscles and pressure sensitivity on the face-tension is trapped and worsened and altered by glasses, pressure, prescription, and eye movements). I believe this began when I stopped wearing them 24/7 and particularly when I switched to wearing them every other night.

I have noticed that my jaw is asymmetrical and perhaps small, particularly on the RHS (may be a link to why I was initially getting tension symptoms on the RHS), so maybe Invisalign causes issues and stretches small and asymmetric jaws excessively, or I have some random unexplained predisposition to my jaw getting confused by regularly changing bites or something (still think the latter may have something to do with the former). I just wanted to inform you of this, as I have been told these symptoms are unique and functional, and although Invisalign is known to sometimes cause TMJ problems, it is not heard of causing issues like this.

I am open to suggestions.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The symptoms described by you are rarely caused by Invisalign; it may cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems in some people, but for a shorter duration, as it is not permanent.

Actually, an allergy means that you have redness in the area, and if you wear it for some time, it causes some reactions in the local area and maybe also in the body. Do you have something like that?

The symptoms are mostly related to TMJ; the reason may be that you cannot bite on your teeth and you are now biting on Invisalign, and this can increase your bite where it normally was. The best, in my opinion, will be to consult your orthodontist if you can pause your treatment.

Stop wearing Invisalign, and rest your jaw for as long as you can; like, do not eat hard or crunchy or sticky food. Soft diet, no prolonged talking, and do not open wide too much, especially when yawning. Also, use over-the-counter painkillers for relief.

I hope this helps.