TMJ and orofacial pain refer to pain in the jaw joints, face, head, or neck. These conditions affect millions of people in the United States each year and can make it hard to eat, sleep, or get through your day. Our board-certified specialists find the cause of your pain and create a treatment plan that works for you.
What TMJ and orofacial pain are — and why they can be so hard to diagnose.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints on each side of your head, right in front of your ears. They connect your lower jaw to your skull. These joints let your mouth open and close. You use them every time you eat, talk, yawn, or swallow.
Orofacial pain is a broad term for any pain in the mouth, jaw, face, or nearby areas. This pain can come from many sources — the jaw joints, the muscles that move the jaw, the nerves in the face, or other parts of the head and neck.
When something goes wrong with the TMJ or the muscles and nerves around it, the result is often pain that spreads to other parts of the head and neck. Doctors call these problems temporomandibular disorders, or TMD for short. Despite how common TMD is, it falls outside the scope of most medical specialties, which is why patients often spend years looking for the right diagnosis.
Of the U.S. population has dealt with a chronic orofacial pain disorder in the past year — nearly 44 million people. Most spend an average of 4.2 years and see 5.3 providers before finding the right specialist.
Source: American Academy of Orofacial Pain
Problems with the jaw joints or the muscles that control jaw movement. Two main types: myogenous (muscle-related) and arthrogenous (joint-related). Many patients have both.
Learn About TMJ Disorders
Many headaches and migraines are connected to TMJ problems. Tight jaw muscles can trigger tension headaches and worsen migraines.
Many headaches and migraines are connected to TMJ problems. Tight jaw muscles can trigger tension headaches and worsen migraines.
Muscle pain in the face and jaw is caused by trigger points of localized tenderness. Affects over 44 million Americans.
Clenching or grinding teeth, often during sleep. Wears down teeth and puts significant strain on the jaw joints and muscles.
That’s how long the average TMJ patient spends searching for the right diagnosis. We help patients find answers faster — starting at their very first visit.
You may have one or several of these symptoms. Some people have pain that comes and goes. Others deal with constant discomfort. If you have any of these symptoms for more than a couple of weeks, it’s worth seeing a specialist.
Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning
Your first visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. We never rush. During the visit, your doctor will walk through a systematic evaluation to identify the source of your pain.
Treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms. We always start with the least invasive options and only escalate when needed.
Oral Appliance Therapy — custom-fit devices to reduce grinding and stabilize the jaw
Medications — NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antiepileptics, and low-dose antidepressants as appropriate
Physical therapy, posture correction, and jaw exercises
Botox for TMJ — reduces muscle overactivity and clenching
Trigger Point Injections — directly addresses myofascial pain sources
Regenerative Therapies — PRP, prolotherapy, and exosome therapy for complex or treatment-resistant cases.
Jaw pain, headaches, or facial pain have not gone away on their own after a few weeks
Your jaw locks, clicks, or pops on a regular basis
You have been treated by other doctors without lasting relief
You grind your teeth and wake up with jaw soreness or headaches
You have ear pain or ringing, but your ears have been checked and are healthy
You have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and jaw or facial pain
Doctors. That’s how many providers the average patient sees before getting a proper TMJ diagnosis, according to the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.
An orofacial pain specialist has the specific training to identify and treat these conditions starting from your very first visit. You don’t need to wait that long.
Conservative, thorough, and specific to your diagnosis — not a protocol applied to everyone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist · Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain · Assistant Professor, UCLA
Schedule your evaluation with our board-certified orofacial pain specialists and start your path to lasting recovery.
We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans.