i thought braces helped this?

Well i think braces only help as long as you remember to wear the retainer for the rest of your life. I had braces and it fixed a tooth that was further back the the rest and a little sideways. While its no longer side ways it has moved back. I was told i had to wear the retainer forever to keep it from happening, but i don't listen well.

I don't think braces are supposed to help your jaw. I had braces and my jaw is still horrible. Every year I notice I can eat less and less types of foods. My cousin also had TMJ and finally when she couldn't even open her mouth enough to eat a grape, she had surgery. But I still can't decide if that's what I want to do, despite her telling me it was the best decision ever.

Please refer back to your orthodontist about this. You should have received a retainer to wear to prevent your teeth from shifting back. It takes awhile for the root of the tooth to become sound in the bone. A retainer is a clear prosthetic that you wear continually for a length of time. You doctor should be able to explain why he didn't do this and what you can do about the shifting. I would definitely have a serious talk with that doctor.