Restore Comfort and Function to Your Jaw

Understanding Tmj Disorder and Its Impact on Dental Health

Many people suffer from some degree of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder. Some people may exhibit common TMJ disorder symptoms such as: tension in the jaw muscles, frequent morning headaches/migraines, ear aches, clicking/popping of jaw joints, lock jaw and or stiffness in the neck. Most people do not have symptoms related to their jaw, but exhibit accelerated wear and weakening in their teeth due to nighttime grinding and clenching, which may cause sensitivity. If left undiagnosed and untreated, a smile can “age” very quickly and/or existing dental conditions such as cavities or gum disease can worsen significantly.

TMJ disorder usually comes from the imbalance of jaw joints and the occlusion (the bite). Dr. Lee can alleviate TMJ related pain and protect further accelerated wear/tear of teeth by having the patient wear customized splint very similar to an orthodontic retainer to create the ideal bite that will reestablish the balance.

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Options for Treating TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder

Occlusal Splints: Our custom-made and advanced biologically compatible 3D printed “night guards” effectively prevent clenching and reposition your jaw to a more favorable and comfortable position. Over the counter night guards are not recommended for long term use (+1 month), because it causes more permanent problems to the patient’s TMJ muscles and eventually teeth (like wearing oversized shoes with extra socks). Custom hard 3D-printed night guards are revolutionary and is the most conservative way to stop the self-destruction of teeth a jaw joints.
Invisalign: If your TMJ pain stems from a bite issue, we may recommend using Invisalign to correct your jaw alignment.
Surgery: In exceptional circumstances, advanced surgical procedures may be required to address the issue. In such cases, we can refer you to a specialist who can provide the necessary treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) is a condition involving an imbalance between the jaw joints and the bite (occlusion). It can cause a range of symptoms — from jaw muscle tension, frequent headaches, earaches, and a clicking or popping jaw, to lockjaw and neck stiffness. Many patients, however, have no pain at all and only discover the condition after noticing accelerated tooth wear, sensitivity, or worsening dental problems caused by nighttime grinding and clenching.

TMJ disorder symptoms vary from person to person. Common signs include tension or soreness in the jaw muscles, frequent morning headaches or migraines, earaches, clicking or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth, lockjaw, and stiffness or soreness in the neck. That said, many patients with TMJ disorder in Orlando, FL, are completely symptom-free and only discover the condition when a dentist identifies accelerated wear or damage to their teeth.

Many people with TMJ disorder never experience jaw pain or headaches, but the underlying issue — typically nighttime grinding or clenching caused by a bite imbalance — still takes a significant toll on their teeth. Over time, this leads to accelerated enamel wear, tooth sensitivity, and structural weakening. If existing dental issues like cavities or gum disease are present, grinding can cause them to worsen much faster.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity. The most common and conservative approach is a custom occlusal splint, a precision-fit night guard that repositions the jaw into a more balanced, comfortable position and prevents grinding from damaging the teeth. If the root cause is a bite alignment problem, Invisalign may be recommended to correct the underlying issue. In rare, advanced cases where other treatments aren't sufficient, surgical referral to a specialist is available.

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TMJ Disorder in Orlando, FL

Restore Comfort and Function to Your Jaw

Understanding Tmj Disorder and Its Impact on Dental Health

Options for Treating TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder

Frequently Asked Questions

From Urgent Fixes to Long-term Smile Upgrades—we’re Ready When You Are.

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