Clear aligner therapy, bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders: what should we know

Clear aligner therapy has seen rapid growth over the past several years because of the growing demand for esthetic treatment alternatives to traditional fixed appliances. Yet, there is evidence that some adult patients undergoing clear aligner therapy report increased wake-time tooth clenching and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), such as jaw muscle pain and fatigue, during treatment. This scenario is unexpected as studies on individuals with conventional orthodontic appliances have shown that jaw muscle activity decreases in response to orthodontic pain—a protective behavior to limit mechanical stimulation of the periodontium. Therefore, it is possible that the jaw muscle response to clear aligner therapy would be different compared to conventional fixed appliances.

The possible onset of TMD symptoms during orthodontic treatment with clear aligners negatively impacts patients’ quality of life and clinical outcomes, as it influences compliance during treatment, which is a crucial aspect of clear aligner therapy. This webinar will review the current knowledge about clear aligner therapy, bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders, and provide clinicians with information to help them identify, manage, or prevent TMD symptoms that may occur during treatment with clear aligners.

Attendees of this webinar will:

– Understand how orthodontic pain and changes in dental occlusion affect jaw motor behaviors

– Learn how psychological factors can modulate the jaw motor response to sensory stimuli

– Learn how to perform a simple and effective TMD clinical assessment according to evidence-based criteria

– Learn how to identify and manage awake-bruxism and TMD occurring during treatment with clear aligners.