TMJ-D treatment

Jaw pain shouldn’t be something you live with — and at our Orlando and Winter Springs offices, it doesn’t have to be.

Your temporomandibular joints sit just in front of each ear and connect your lower jaw to your skull. They do quiet work all day — every bite, every word, every yawn — so when one stops moving smoothly, you notice it fast.

TMJ disorder (TMJ-D or TMD) is what we call it when that joint, the disc inside it, or the muscles around it stop working together comfortably. Dr. Jason Battle evaluates how your teeth, jaws, and joints function as one system, then builds a plan around what’s actually driving your symptoms — not just how your smile looks.

Signs you may have TMJ disorder

TMJ-D shows up differently from person to person. Common signs we hear about:

  • Aching or tenderness in the jaw, especially in the morning
  • Clicking, popping, or grating when you open and close
  • The jaw catching, sticking, or locking open or shut
  • Tired or sore facial and chewing muscles
  • Headaches, earaches, or pressure around the temples
  • Neck and shoulder tension
  • Discomfort when chewing tougher foods
  • A bite that suddenly feels “off”

If a few of these sound familiar, an evaluation is a good next step. Symptoms often build slowly, and small changes are easier to address than long-standing ones.

Green sun graphic representing a lifetime guarantee for orthodontic treatment.

What causes TMJ disorder?

There’s rarely one single cause. In most cases several factors stack up until the joint is under more strain than it can handle comfortably:

  • Clenching and grinding (bruxism) — often stress-related and often happening at night
  • A bite that doesn’t fit together evenly, forcing the jaw to compensate
  • Injury to the jaw, face, or neck
  • Joint conditions such as arthritis affecting the joint surfaces
  • Disc displacement inside the joint
  • Habits like nail biting, gum chewing, or heavy one-sided chewing

Because the causes overlap, the assessment matters as much as the treatment. Dr. Battle looks at joint function, bite relationship, muscle tenderness, and your history together before recommending anything.

How we evaluate your jaw

Your complimentary TMJ consultation is unhurried and completely digital — no guesswork, no messy impressions:

  • A conversation about your symptoms, habits, and history
  • Hands-on evaluation of joint movement, range, and tenderness
  • Digital photos and low-radiation digital imaging
  • 3D iTero scan of your teeth and bite
  • Bite and alignment analysis

You’ll leave knowing what we found, what’s likely contributing to it, what your options are, and what it would cost. In writing.

TMJ treatment options

Treatment is matched to the cause. Depending on what the exam shows, Dr. Battle may recommend one or a combination of:

  • Bite correction with braces or clear aligners — when uneven bite forces are part of the problem, moving the teeth and jaws into a balanced relationship can take pressure off the joint. Options include metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign & clear aligners. See all types of braces.
  • Custom nightguards and splints — a custom appliance protects your teeth from grinding and helps the muscles relax while the joint settles.
  • Conservative at-home care — soft-food stretches, moist heat, gentle jaw exercises, and habit awareness can meaningfully reduce day-to-day discomfort, and we’ll coach you through them.
  • Coordinated care — some cases involve more than orthodontics. We work with dentists, ENTs, oral surgeons, and physical therapists in the Orlando area when a team approach serves you better.
  • Growth-guiding and airway-focused care — for younger patients, jaw development and breathing are closely tied to joint comfort. See Dentofacial Orthopedics and Airway Orthodontics.

We start with the most conservative approach that can do the job, and we tell you plainly if orthodontics isn’t the right answer for your case.

Can braces or Invisalign fix TMJ disorder?

Sometimes — it depends on the cause. When the strain comes from how your teeth and jaws meet, correcting that relationship with braces or clear aligners can relieve symptoms and keep the joint from being overloaded long term. When the source is arthritis, an old injury, or purely muscular, orthodontics may be one part of the plan rather than the whole plan. That’s exactly what the evaluation is for: an honest answer before you commit to anything.

Why patients choose Premiere Orthodontics

  • Board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Jason Battle
  • Two Orlando-area locations: Waterford Lakes/Avalon Park and Winter Springs/Oviedo
  • Complimentary consultation with no obligation
  • Fully digital, impression-free records
  • Flexible financing and insurance help
  • Our Lifetime Guarantee on your results
  • ¡Hablamos Español!

Questions about your jaw pain? Let’s talk.

You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out — that’s our job. Call, text, or request a visit and we’ll get you in for a complimentary evaluation at whichever office is easier for you.

Waterford Lakes / Avalon Park — 448 S Alafaya Trl, Ste 10, Orlando, FL 32828 · (407) 381-3335
Winter Springs / Oviedo — 5733 Canton Cv, Winter Springs, FL 32708 · (407) 699-1200

Ready to get started? Request your complimentary consultation online.