― Patient Resources

Your first visit,
What to expect.

Most new patients have spent years searching for answers. We don’t rush the first appointment. You’ll have 45 to 60 minutes of one-on-one time with a board-certified orofacial pain specialist who will listen, examine, and explain.

Visit Length

45–60 min

Format

One patient at a time

Location

Torrance, CA

Reviewed by

Dr. Paul Grin, DDS, MPH

Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist · UCLA Faculty

What happens at your first visit

Your first appointment at South Bay TMJ is a comprehensive evaluation, not a quick screening. Your specialist will review your medical and dental history, examine your jaw, head, neck, and bite, review any imaging you bring, and explain what’s likely causing your symptoms. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your condition and a recommended next step.

― The Process

A calm, methodical first appointment.

Orofacial pain conditions are complex. A good evaluation takes time. Here is how we use yours.

History and conversation

We start by listening. Your specialist will ask about your symptoms, when they began, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life. We’ll review your full medical history, current medications, prior treatments, and any imaging or reports you bring.

This part is unhurried for a reason. Patterns in your story often point directly to the diagnosis.

Clinical examination

Your specialist will examine your jaw joints, jaw muscles, bite, head, neck, and the nerves of the face. Range of motion, tender points, joint sounds, and posture are all checked. Most of the exam involves gentle palpation. None of it is painful.

If you already have imaging, we’ll review it during this step. If new imaging is needed, we’ll explain why and what kind before anything is ordered.

Diagnosis and discussion

Once the history and exam are complete, your specialist will explain what they found in plain language. You’ll learn what’s likely causing your symptoms, why other conditions have been ruled in or out, and what the standard of care looks like for your situation.

You’re encouraged to ask questions. Bring a list if it helps. There are no rushed answers here.

Treatment plan

We favor conservative, reversible treatments first. Your plan will be tailored to your diagnosis and may include oral appliance therapy, physical therapy referrals, regenerative injections, behavioral guidance, or coordination with your primary care or sleep physician.

Costs, expected timeline, and what success should look like are reviewed before you leave. If insurance coordination is needed, our team handles it.

― Before You Come In

How to prepare.

A little preparation makes the first appointment more useful. None of this is required, but it helps your specialist see the full picture faster.

A symptom timeline

When pain or sleep symptoms started, what makes them worse, and what have you already tried?

Prior imaging or reports

MRI, CT, panoramic X-rays, or sleep study results from any provider. A CD or PDF works.

Current medications

A current list, including supplements and anything you take for pain or sleep.

Insurance card and photo ID

Plus your referral number if your plan requires one.

New patient forms

Available to download and complete at home. Get the forms →

Questions

Anything you want answered. Write them down so they don’t get lost in the moment.

― When You Arrive

Getting to the office.

We’re located on Torrance Boulevard with free patient parking on-site. The office is fully accessible, and our front desk team will help you with check-in.

Address

3475 Torrance Blvd. Suite H
Torrance, CA 90503

Parking

Free on-site parking

Patient parking is available directly at the building. No meters, no permits, no validation needed.

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday
By appointment

(310) 933-3077

info@southbaytmj.com

― Your Specialist

Who you'll see.

Both of our doctors are board-certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain and serve on faculty at UCLA. You’ll meet one of them at your first visit. There’s no rotation through residents or assistants.

Dr. Paul Grin

DDS, MPH, MS · Diplomate, ABOP

Founder of the practice and a UCLA faculty member with over 30 years in orofacial pain medicine. Dr. Grin built one of the first practices of its kind in the South Bay.

Dr. Eric Grin

DDS, MS · Diplomate, ABOP

Also board-certified in orofacial pain and a UCLA faculty member. Dr. Eric Grin focuses on regenerative therapies and complex cases including TMJ in patients with hypermobility syndromes.

― Cost & Coverage

Insurance & Payment Options

We accept most major medical PPO insurance plans and Medicare. Because TMJ treatment is usually billed through medical insurance rather than dental insurance, our team helps verify your benefits before your first visit.

If your plan is out-of-network or does not cover treatment, we also offer payment options including CareCredit, Cherry Financing, cash, check, major credit cards, and flexible payment plans.

Major Medical PPO Plans

We work with most major medical PPO insurance plans. Coverage depends on your individual policy, benefits, deductible, and medical necessity requirements.

Medicare

Medicare is accepted. Patients with supplemental coverage may have additional benefits that help reduce or cover treatment costs, depending on the plan and eligibility.

Out-of-Network Benefits

Even if we are not in-network with your plan, you may still have out-of-network benefits that can help with the cost of care.

Financing & Payment Options

For out-of-pocket balances, we offer flexible payment options, including major credit cards, CareCredit, Cherry Financing, cash, and check.

― Questions, Answered

Things new patients ask.

Practical answers from our board-certified specialists. These questions come directly from patients we see at the clinic.

What is the difference between TMJ and TMD? +

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint — the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull. TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, which is the medical term for problems that affect those joints, the surrounding muscles, or related nerves. Saying “I have TMJ” is a common shorthand, but technically, everyone has a TMJ. What most people mean is that they have TMD — a painful or dysfunctional condition involving the jaw joint system.

Can TMJ disorders go away on their own? +

Mild cases sometimes improve with rest, soft foods, and stress reduction. However, many TMD conditions do not resolve without treatment. Joint disc displacement, nerve-related pain, and muscle trigger points rarely correct themselves. If your symptoms have lasted more than a few weeks or are getting worse, see a specialist. Waiting often leads to more complex problems that are harder to treat.

What causes TMJ pain? +

The most common causes include teeth grinding or clenching, also called bruxism, jaw trauma or injury, arthritis in the joint, disc displacement, muscle tension from stress, and poor bite alignment. In some patients, TMD is related to a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Often, more than one cause is involved, which is why accurate diagnosis matters before treatment begins.

Does insurance cover TMJ treatment? +

Coverage varies significantly by plan and by the type of treatment. Medical insurance, including Medicare, often covers evaluation and some treatments when TMD is diagnosed as a medical condition. Dental insurance may cover oral appliances. Our team reviews your specific benefits before your first visit so you know what to expect.

What happens during the first visit? +

Your first visit typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. We review your medical history in detail, perform a physical examination of your jaw, face, neck, and bite, and may recommend imaging such as a CT scan or MRI when appropriate. We take time to explain our findings and recommendations before treatment begins. We see one patient at a time and do not double-book appointments.

Do I need a referral to see an orofacial pain specialist? +

Not always, but it depends on your insurance. Many patients are self-referred and pay out of pocket or submit for reimbursement. Some insurance plans require a referral from a primary care physician. If you are unsure, call our office and we can help determine what your plan requires before scheduling.

Is TMJ treatment painful? +

Most first-line TMJ treatments are non-invasive and cause little to no discomfort. Oral appliances, physical therapy, and medication management are generally well tolerated. Injection-based treatments like trigger point injections or PRP therapy involve a brief needle procedure. We explain each treatment fully before proceeding and use techniques designed to minimize discomfort.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Eric Grin,

D.D.S., MPH

Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist · Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain · Assistant Professor, UCLA

Last Updated: April 24, 2026

― Schedule Your Consultation

Ready to be heard?

Schedule your first evaluation with a board-certified orofacial pain specialist. We’ll take the time to listen and explain.

We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans.

Your first visit,
What to expect.

Dr. Paul Grin, DDS, MPH