AACD MEMBER DENTIST • JACKSONVILLE, FL
Find relief from jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and other TMJ disorder symptoms with a personalized treatment plan. JAX Dental Studio evaluates and treats TMJ/TMD concerns at our Jacksonville, FL office.
★★★★★5.0 | 450+ Reviews
Dr. Charles Poblenz, DMD
ADA & AACD Member
Most Insurance Accepted
Jacksonville, FL
Jaw pain, persistent headaches, and that clicking or popping sound every time you open your mouth are not just annoyances to live with. For millions of Americans, these are daily symptoms of a temporomandibular joint disorder, and they often improve significantly with the right dental care. As part of our comprehensive restorative dentistry approach in Jacksonville, FL, JAX Dental Studio evaluates and treats TMJ disorders with a focus on lasting relief and protecting your oral health long term.
Dr. Charles Poblenz, DMD conducts a thorough diagnostic evaluation at your first visit, using digital X-rays and cone beam CT imaging when needed to get a clear picture of what is driving your symptoms. From custom oral appliances to bite adjustments and lifestyle guidance, we build a conservative, personalized plan to help you feel better.
TMJ disorders, also called TMD, present differently for each person. That variability is part of why they often go undiagnosed or get attributed to unrelated conditions. If several of the following sound familiar, a TMJ evaluation with our Jacksonville team is a practical first step.
Discomfort around the jaw joint area that may radiate to the face, neck, or shoulders. It can be constant or come and go, and often worsens when chewing or speaking.
Tension-type headaches that concentrate near the temples, behind the eyes, or at the base of the skull are a common but often overlooked sign of bite and jaw muscle strain.
Sounds from the joint when you open or close your mouth. They may be painless at first, but often signal ongoing joint dysfunction that benefits from early care.
Your jaw joint sits directly in front of your ear canal. TMD can cause ear pain, a sensation of fullness, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears) without any ear infection being present.
Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or a jaw that catches, locks, or deviates to one side. This often points to muscle tightness or disc displacement in the joint.
A feeling that your teeth no longer come together the way they used to, or discomfort when biting down, often tied to muscle fatigue affecting how your jaw closes.
Most TMJ disorders develop from a combination of factors that place ongoing stress on the joint, the surrounding muscles, or the disc that cushions the joint itself. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, over 10 million Americans are affected by TMJ disorders at any time. Identifying which factors apply to your situation is key to building an effective treatment approach.
We are in network with BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, and Florida Combined Life. Many plans contribute toward a portion of TMJ treatment, particularly when it is medically necessary. Our team reviews your coverage with you before any plan is finalized, so there are no surprises when treatment begins.
For any balance your plan does not cover, we offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry, allowing you to spread payments into manageable monthly amounts. You can review all of your options on our insurance and financing page, or call our Jacksonville office and we will verify your benefits directly.
Effective TMJ care starts with an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Poblenz evaluates your jaw range of motion, listens for clicking or grating, and assesses areas of tenderness during your first visit. When a clearer picture is needed, our cone beam CT technology provides a three-dimensional view of the joint structure that flat X-rays cannot fully capture. We also review your medical history and discuss how your symptoms are affecting your daily routine.
Our $199 New Patient Experience covers your full consultation, oral health assessment, and all necessary imaging in a dedicated hour. The fee is collected when you schedule, so when you arrive, your time is reserved and you can focus entirely on your care rather than paperwork.
We take a conservative-first approach, moving to more involved options only when simpler measures fall short.
A custom-fitted night guard or occlusal splint reduces grinding and clenching forces, repositions the jaw, and protects teeth from wear. For many patients, this is the most effective and least invasive path to relief.
When teeth do not come together evenly, small occlusal adjustments distribute bite pressure more evenly, reducing the muscle strain that drives many TMD symptoms.
Diet adjustments during flare-ups, daytime jaw awareness techniques, and stress-reduction strategies that interrupt the clenching cycle before it re-inflames the joint.
Targeted jaw and neck exercises to restore range of motion, reduce muscle tension, and reinforce healthy positioning between visits.
Worn or damaged teeth contribute to bite imbalance over time. When restorations are part of the picture, we coordinate with our broader restorative dentistry services to rebuild proper occlusion.
When symptoms point to systemic arthritis, sleep-related concerns, or require a surgical evaluation, we coordinate a referral while remaining your point of contact for overall dental care.
Many patients arrive having already seen a primary care provider or another dentist without finding real answers. We take TMD seriously as a multifactorial condition rather than a set of symptoms to manage independently. Dr. Poblenz reviews your complete oral health picture at your new patient visit, including bite analysis, muscle palpation, and a detailed symptom timeline, to identify the combination of factors most likely driving your pain.
We offer sedation options for patients who experience dental anxiety, and our preventive dentistry approach means we look for grinding patterns and bite irregularities before they progress to more serious joint involvement. If you are curious about how a custom TMJ appliance differs from an over-the-counter night guard, our blog covers the difference between a TMJ night guard and a regular night guard in detail.
Dr. Poblenz grew up in Florida and attended the University of North Florida, where he volunteered at the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless as a dental assistant. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 2015 and returned to Jacksonville to build a practice centered on getting to know each patient and helping them feel genuinely confident in their health.
For TMJ care, Dr. Poblenz brings a whole-mouth perspective to every evaluation, examining the bite, muscles, and joint together rather than treating symptoms in isolation. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the Northeast District Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, and he gives back through the Donated Dental Services program.
Meet Our TeamDr. Poblenz performs a hands-on evaluation that includes assessing your jaw range of motion, listening for clicking or grating sounds, and palpating the muscles around the jaw and temples for tenderness. When the joint structure needs a closer look, we use cone beam CT imaging for a three-dimensional view of the joint and surrounding anatomy. A detailed symptom history and bite analysis are part of every evaluation.
A custom-fitted night guard or occlusal splint reduces the forces that grinding and clenching place on the temporomandibular joint during sleep. It repositions the lower jaw slightly, allowing the surrounding muscles to relax. For many patients, consistent nighttime use brings noticeable relief from morning headaches and jaw soreness. A custom appliance fits and functions very differently from an over-the-counter option, which is why proper fit matters for long-term results.
It depends on what is driving your symptoms. For patients whose TMD is primarily caused by nighttime grinding, a custom appliance may bring noticeable improvement within a few weeks of consistent use. More complex cases involving bite misalignment, arthritis, or disc displacement often require a longer and more layered treatment approach. Dr. Poblenz outlines a realistic timeline at your evaluation so you know what to expect before starting.
It is often both. Arthritis in the joint is a medical condition, while teeth grinding, bite misalignment, and worn teeth are dental concerns. Many patients benefit from a coordinated approach where their dentist and primary care provider communicate. At JAX Dental Studio, we address the dental contributors directly and coordinate specialist referrals when systemic factors are involved.
Yes. The temporomandibular joint sits directly in front of the ear canal, and dysfunction in the joint can produce symptoms that feel like they are coming from the ear, including pain, a blocked or full sensation, and tinnitus. Many patients first visit an ear, nose, and throat provider before discovering the source is the jaw joint. If ear symptoms persist without a clear ear-related cause, a TMJ evaluation is worth discussing.
Coverage varies by plan. Many dental insurance policies cover at least a portion of TMJ treatment, particularly diagnostic services and oral appliances when medically necessary. We are in network with BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, and Florida Combined Life. Our team helps verify your benefits before treatment starts, and CareCredit and Cherry financing are available for any remaining balance.
Jaw pain and TMJ symptoms tend to worsen when left unaddressed, but many patients find real, lasting relief with conservative care. Our Jacksonville team is ready to evaluate your symptoms, identify the contributing factors, and build a treatment plan that fits your situation and your schedule.
To take the first step, reach out to our team directly or submit a request through our contact form. You can also call our Jacksonville office at (904) 396-4091. We look forward to helping you get comfortable again.
