TMJ Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Blue Orthodontics evaluates and treats TMJ and myofascial jaw pain at our Phoenix office at 5102 N 7th Street. When a misaligned bite strains your jaw muscles, orthodontic treatment often eases or reduces symptoms. Dr. Dan Blue, DDS, MS, also works with TMJ specialists when your care calls for a team approach.

Quick Facts

• Office: Blue Orthodontics Phoenix office, 5102 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014
• Phone: (602) 996-8995 to call, (602) 536-4995 to text
• Your orthodontist: Dr. Dan Blue, DDS, MS
• What we treat: Jaw pain, muscle tension and bite problems linked to the TMJ area
• Common options: Bite correction with braces or clear aligners, nightguards or bite splints and referrals for complementary care
• Team approach: We work with TMJ specialists for interdisciplinary care
• First step: A complimentary consultation
• Insurance: We participate with most insurance plans

Blue Orthodontics treats TMJ and myofascial issues at our Phoenix office on 7th Street near Camelback Road. If your bite doesn’t come together evenly, the muscles around your jaw joint can tighten or spasm. Dr. Dan Blue looks at how your teeth, bite and jaw muscles work together, then builds a plan to relieve the strain. If you live in Uptown, Midtown or Central Phoenix, relief can start with a complimentary consultation close to home.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull. Myofascial issues involve the muscles and connective tissue around that joint, and the two problems often show up together.

The muscles and tissues surrounding the TMJ can spasm because of bite interferences, or places where your teeth meet unevenly. Symptoms range from occasional annoyances to pain that disrupts your day. Grinding, clenching and stress can play a role, too.

Yes, an orthodontist can often help with TMJ pain when your bite contributes to the problem. Orthodontic treatment frequently eases or reduces symptoms by helping your teeth meet more evenly.

When your bite is off, your jaw shifts to find a comfortable resting spot. Over months and years, that constant adjustment can strain the joint and muscles. Correcting the bite takes away that daily extra effort.

Not every case of jaw pain comes from the bite, though. That’s why we also work with TMJ specialists for interdisciplinary care, so you get the right help from the right expert.

Jaw soreness, clicking and headaches that show up again and again are common reasons to see us. You may notice one of these signs or several.

• Soreness near your ears or along your jawline, especially in the morning
• Clicking or popping when you chew, talk or yawn
• Tension headaches that seem to start near your temples
• Tired jaw muscles after meals or long conversations
• A jaw that catches before it opens all the way
• Worn teeth from grinding or clenching

Dr. Blue evaluates jaw pain by studying how your teeth meet and how your jaw moves. The goal is to find out whether your bite is part of the problem before recommending anything.

1. Listen first. We ask when your symptoms happen, how often and what makes them better or worse.
2. Check your bite. Dr. Blue looks at how your upper and lower teeth come together.
3. Look for wear. Uneven wear patterns can point to grinding or clenching.
4. Test your range of motion. We watch how far and how smoothly your jaw opens and closes.
5. Listen for sounds. Clicking or popping during movement tells us more about the joint.
6. Explain what we see. You’ll hear our findings in plain language, along with your options.

We won’t jump straight to the most involved treatment. We’ll walk you through why we recommend a particular path.

A prosthodontist’s training matters because it centers on how teeth fit and function together. A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who restores and replaces teeth, which takes a close understanding of how bite forces spread across your mouth.

Dr. Dan Blue, DDS, MS, is one of two orthodontists in the Valley who is also a university-trained prosthodontist. He earned his dental degree, master’s degree and prosthodontic certificate at Baylor College of Dentistry and his orthodontic certificate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He’s a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Local dentists often ask Dr. Blue to help plan complex oral and facial treatment. You can learn more about him on our practice page.

Your treatment depends on what’s causing your pain, and many patients benefit from more than one step. Here are the options we discuss with patients.

• Nightguard or bite splint. A custom appliance reduces clenching pressure while you sleep and gives your jaw a chance to rest.
• Braces. Braces in Phoenix can shift teeth so your bite spreads force more evenly.
• Clear aligners. Clear aligners in Phoenix can correct many bite issues with removable trays.
• Referral for complementary care. Physical therapy for the jaw and neck can help when muscle tension plays a big role.
• TMJ specialist care. For joint problems beyond the bite, we coordinate with TMJ specialists.

You’ll always know why we recommend each step. And if your jaw only clicks now and then without pain, we may suggest simply keeping an eye on it.

Schedule an evaluation if jaw pain happens most days or hasn’t improved with over-the-counter pain relief or a soft diet. Clicking that comes with pain is another good reason to come in.

Other signs worth a visit include frequent headaches near your temples, trouble opening your mouth fully and visible wear on your teeth. We see patients from age 8 to 108, so we can evaluate teens and adults alike.

We participate with most insurance plans and work with your insurance to make care affordable. We’ll explain your coverage and costs before any treatment begins.

Coverage for TMJ care can differ from coverage for orthodontics, so we’ll review your benefits with you. Current patients can pay through the portal on our patient resources page.

Our Phoenix office is at 5102 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014, on 7th Street near Camelback Road. It serves Uptown, Midtown, Central Phoenix and Alhambra, along with patients from Glendale and Tempe.

Phoenix office hours

• Monday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (phone hours only)
• Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Closer to Paradise Valley? Visit TMJ treatment in Scottsdale.