Dr. Patrice Winterholler, DDS · Scottsdale & Payson
The TMJ Sleep & Airway Doc
Comprehensive TMJ Treatment
We understand the profound impact Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders can have on your daily life. TMJ disorders affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, leading to symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. This discomfort can extend to the face, neck, and shoulders — and may even disrupt your sleep due to airway issues.
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TMJ Disorder Treatment for Enhanced Quality of Life
Comprehensive care. Lasting relief.
Dr. Winterholler approaches TMJ disorders from a neuromuscular perspective, aiming to optimally align the jaw, teeth, and muscles.
By addressing the root causes of TMJ dysfunction, she crafts personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
This comprehensive care not only alleviates pain but also improves overall oral function and well-being — helping you regain comfort and balance.
"Get out of pain and begin living life to its fullest again."
Before & After · Cassandra
BEFORE
AFTER
Before & After · Chelsey
BEFORE
AFTER
Our Approach
Three pillars. One resolution.
True resolution requires all three to be in balance simultaneously — the teeth, the muscles, and the joint. Most providers treat one pillar and ignore the others. That is why so many patients have tried appliance after appliance with no lasting relief.
The Teeth (Your BITE)
Where your teeth meet (Your Bite) often determines where your jaw sits. Teeth Dominate. Muscles Accommodate. And that's often where the pain originates.
The Muscles (Your Airway)
We use TENS therapy and EMG measurement to restore the muscles to a homeostatic position. Before treatment begins, EMG muscle measurements objectively assess muscle health — diagnosing which muscles are firing high allows us to restore the bite to a more balanced, healthy muscle position.
The Joint
Computerized jaw tracking shows exactly where the joint sits and where it needs to be for lasting, objective, measurable relief.
28+ Years In Practice ★★★★★
Understanding the Root Cause
The impact of a malaligned bite.
During your consultation, Dr. Winterholler will diagnose your malocclusion and TMJ disorder, creating a personalized treatment plan using a neuromuscular approach.
Five common types of malocclusion:
Class I Deep Bite:
The teeth appear to have a normal front-to-back relationship, but the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth vertically. This forces the lower jaw back into the joint space, causing condyle compression and cervical (neck) pain — especially in patients who clench or grind.
Overbite (Class II):
Upper teeth significantly overlap lower teeth, often resulting in a recessed chin and a posteriorly displaced jaw.
Underbite (Class III):
Lower teeth extend past upper teeth, leading to a prominent lower jaw and joint stress.
Crossbite:
Some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth when biting, causing uneven wear, asymmetrical loading on the jaw joint, and progressive misalignment.
Anterior Open Bite:
The upper and lower front teeth do not make contact when the back teeth are together, often associated with tongue thrust, airway issues, and abnormal jaw posture.
A malaligned bite can cause:
Chronic pain in the head, neck, and shoulders:
Misalignment strains jaw muscles, causing tension and discomfort that radiates throughout.
Airway and breathing issues:
Malocclusion can restrict airflow, leading to breathing difficulties and sleep disorders.
Facial asymmetry:
Jaw misalignment affects facial balance, impacting both appearance and function.
Clicking and popping:
Joint displacement causes audible clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw — a direct sign that the condyle is not seated correctly in the joint space.
Any of these malocclusions can push the condyle too far back in the joint space — compressing the nerves there and causing chronic TMJ pain.
It is important to note that a patient can present with a Class I occlusion — technically a normal bite — and still experience significant pain. A single tooth out of occlusion can create torque on the jaw, loading the joint unevenly with every bite.
Class I Deep Bite
Class II Overbite
TMJ Joint & Disc Anatomy
Cutting-Edge Treatment Technology
Precision tools. Objective results.
Phase I · Primary Treatment
Orthotic Therapy
Orthotic Therapy (known as Splint Therapy) uses the Myotronics K7x Evaluation System to track jaw movements, measure muscle activity, and analyze TMJ sounds — pinpointing the root cause of your pain and determining your jaw’s optimal position. The Myotronics J5 Dental TENS Unit relaxes your muscles to their resting length. Once aligned, we fabricate a custom MORA orthotic in our in-office lab — comfortable, removable, and discreet.
Related Treatment
Sleep Apnea Therapy
TMJ dysfunction and sleep apnea are deeply connected — and frequently occur together. When the lower jaw is retruded, the airway narrows during sleep. Treating the jaw position often improves breathing at night. Dr. Patrice treats both conditions using neuromuscular principles and custom oral appliances, addressing the shared structural root cause rather than managing symptoms separately.
Phase II · Structural Correction
Correcting the Structure That Contributes to TMJ Symptoms & Pain
After Phase I confirms your correct jaw position and your muscles are restored to health, Phase II makes those changes permanent. These structural solutions address the underlying craniofacial architecture — the root cause of the pain.
Phase II · Option 1
Airway Orthodontics with Expansion
Palatal expansion — using the revolutionary DOME system or MARPE — widens the upper jaw to create space, relieve TMJ pressure, improve airway breathing, and enhance facial symmetry. A transformative structural solution for patients whose narrow palate contributes to TMJ dysfunction.
Phase II · Option 2
Airway Orthodontics with Aligners
Airway-focused clear aligners reposition the teeth to permanently hold the jaw in its correct physiologic position — locking in the relief achieved in Phase I. Unlike conventional orthodontics, our airway aligner approach is designed specifically to support jaw position, muscle balance, and breathing.
Phase II · Option 3
Full Mouth Reconstruction with Veneers
For patients who require significant bite correction, full mouth reconstruction rebuilds the occlusal surface to permanently capture the correct jaw position. Porcelain veneers and crowns are fabricated in our in-office Zirkonzahn lab — often completed in a single visit — creating a beautiful, functional, and structurally correct bite.
Explore TMJ Treatment
Learn more about every aspect of care.
Why Choose Us
Expertise. Technology. Personalized care.
We are dedicated to providing personalized care that addresses not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes of your TMJ disorder. With advanced diagnostic and treatment tools and expertise in neuromuscular dentistry, we ensure comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Dr. Winterholler’s unique professional background makes her exceptionally qualified in TMJ disorder treatments and orthodontics — combining neuromuscular principles, advanced technology, and a whole-body approach to lasting relief.
- Myotronics K7x Evaluation System for precise jaw tracking & muscle measurement
- Myotronics J5 Dental TENS Unit for true neuromuscular relaxation
- Custom in-house MORA orthotic fabrication — not a generic splint
- Orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic expertise including DOME and MARPE
- Myofunctional therapy coordination for complete airway care
- Craniosacral massage and release for soft tissue tension
Over 16,000+ Transformations ★★★★★
Get Out of Pain
Begin living life to its fullest again.
We offer TMJ disorder treatments at our Arizona locations in Scottsdale and Payson. If you are experiencing TMJ disorder symptoms or have questions about our treatment options, please contact us to schedule a consultation.
Scottsdale
13825 N Northsight Blvd, Suite 120
Mon–Thu 8–5 · Tue 7–5 · Fri 8–1
(480) 767-8400
Payson
315 E State Highway 260
Mon–Thu 8am – 5pm
(928) 474-2200
