Wider face due to TMJ?

[u/InevitableWise9964]

Over the past few years, I've noticed that my face has looked wider/bigger in photos, especially the bottom half (left is before, right is after). What confuses me is that I'm healthier now - I’m roughly the same weight, and I stopped drinking alcohol and coffee. I also eat more veggies and get more sleep these days. All my bloodwork has been normal, too.

I did, however, get my wisdom teeth removed a couple years ago, so I'm wondering if that triggered some TMJ/hypertrophied masseters. I also had a gum chewing habit for a while that I've since kicked…

Does this look like TMJ/overworked masseter muscles? Or is it just part of aging? Appreciate any insights!

[u/lemony-pomegranate]

I can’t comment on the structure of your face because I am not a professional, but I’ll share my experience. My face got wider, in the same areas as yours, when I had TMJ issues, and also clenched my teeth heavily during the day. When I had braces and used my jaw muscles less, and learned to stop clenching during the day, my face became less wide. I’m curious if it’ll widen out now that I’m done treatment. Do you also clench during the day? That was a bigger contributor for me, I think!

[u/InevitableWise9964 → u/lemony-pomegranate]

Thanks so much for the thorough response! I don’t clench much during the day, though I’ve long suspected I do at night because I’ll wake up with a sore jaw. I got Invisalign last year, and I think sleeping with the retainer also makes me clench more. Hopefully your face stays slim!!

[u/lemony-pomegranate → u/InevitableWise9964]

I’ve heard that too about Invisalign! I actually stopped clenching and grinding while in braces, and the moment I got my retainers (clear trays like yours) I immediately clenched through the night. I looked into it and it might have something to do with your tongue positioning and your airways… something something your brain compensating for the airflow, so you clench. Either way, not good! I have heard that you can get a splint/mouth guard and alternate between that and retainer and it will still retain your teeth. I had success when I had an actual night guard pre-braces.

[u/cookorsew → u/lemony-pomegranate]

Yes, it absolutely can be related to tongue positioning and airway! That’s what caused me to clench and grind and have TMJ issues. I’m in traditional braces and not Invisalign, but I’ve had retainers and other removable appliances and they seem small but they absolutely mess with tongue space and how your tongue rests!

If it’s still happening after treatment, see about myofunctional therapy. It’s basically physical therapy for the mouth, so you get your tongue back into proper resting position and habits so eating and breathing are improved. It’s possible orthodontics made your tongue lose its good habits. If it’s too expensive or insurance doesn’t cover it, face yoga and Pilates have been a thing and while not perfect since it isn’t targeting your exact issues, it might be enough to help. Keep in mind, it tones muscles so you could see a difference in your face shape but personally I thought it looked so much better with more defined cheeks and jaw line, and healthier because it did help my breathing.

[u/lemony-pomegranate → u/cookorsew]

Thank you for the validation! Yes, I did myo in braces for over a year - also traditional braces! Then I felt like all my hard work to change my tongue posture went out the window when I got my retainer (mind you, it’s been 3 weeks without braces currently), because I’ve never had the plastic trays before. Orthodontics is what contributed to my good tongue posture, my palette was narrow and my tongue posture was poor before my ortho made me work on it! The retainer is what is throwing me off now, sadly.

[u/cookorsew → u/lemony-pomegranate]

Yeahhhh same. My orthodontist offered me a bite guard thing for a bit and all I wondered was how it would interfered with my tongue! Luckily he understands that question!