TMJ Disorders (TMD)

TMJ disorders can make everyday actions like eating, speaking, or simply opening your mouth surprisingly painful. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull, and when this joint is disrupted, it can trigger jaw pain, clicking sounds, and persistent headaches. For many patients in West Los Angeles, these symptoms go unaddressed for years, allowing the condition to progress and compound over time.

At Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Dr. Saman Vahedi and Dr. Jonathan Shadi, provide personalized TMJ evaluation and treatment using today’s most advanced diagnostic technologies. From our West LA office on Wilshire Boulevard, we work with patients across a wide range of TMJ presentations, from mild discomfort to complex cases requiring surgical intervention. Learn more about the full range of services we offer on our Procedures page.

What Is the Temporomandibular Joint?

The temporomandibular joint acts as a hinge on each side of your face, connecting your jawbone to your skull and making it possible to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and swallow. The joint is supported by a network of muscles, ligaments, and a small disc that cushions movement between the bones. When any part of this system is stressed, injured, or misaligned, a TMJ disorder (also referred to as TMD) can develop.

UCSF Health notes that TMJ disorders affect over 10 million people in the United States and that certain factors, including arthritis, injury, and teeth grinding, can disrupt the joint’s normal function. Because the joint operates on both sides of the face simultaneously, even minor dysfunction can have a significant impact on daily comfort and quality of life.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can present differently from patient to patient, which is part of why they are often difficult to identify without a thorough evaluation. Jaw pain or tenderness on one or both sides of the face is among the most frequently reported symptoms. Many patients also notice a clicking, popping, or grating sensation when opening or closing the mouth, along with headaches or pain that radiates into the neck or ears. Difficulty chewing, locking of the jaw in an open or closed position, and nighttime teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) are all recognized signs of a TMJ disorder.

Some patients also develop tooth sensitivity or notice worn-down tooth surfaces as bruxism continues over time. If you experience any combination of these symptoms consistently, scheduling an evaluation early may prevent further joint damage and reduce long-term treatment complexity.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

TMJ disorders develop for a variety of reasons, and identifying the contributing factors is important for creating an effective treatment plan. Common causes include traumatic injury to the jaw or surrounding area, chronic teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism), arthritis affecting the joint itself, and displacement of the disc between the jawbone and socket. Poor posture, particularly when sustained over long periods, can also place undue strain on the jaw muscles and contribute to TMD symptoms over time. Stress is another frequently overlooked contributor, as tension in the jaw muscles often increases during periods of high stress.

How TMJ Disorders Are Diagnosed

Accurately diagnosing TMJ disorders requires the kind of thorough evaluation that goes beyond a standard dental exam. Our surgeons begin with a detailed review of your medical history and a physical assessment of your jaw joints, muscles, and bite function. In many cases, we use cone beam 3D imaging to get a precise view of the joint anatomy, identifying structural issues that may not appear on conventional X-rays. This technology is available directly in our West Los Angeles office, allowing for faster and more targeted diagnosis without outside referrals.

Treatment Options for TMJ Disorders

Treatment for TMJ disorders is tailored to the underlying cause and severity of each patient’s condition. Our approach moves from conservative to surgical only when necessary, and our goal is always to relieve pain and restore function in the least invasive way possible. Depending on your evaluation, treatment may include:

• Oral appliances such as custom night guards or occlusal splints to reduce clenching and grinding during sleep
• Physical therapy and targeted jaw exercises to improve mobility and reduce muscle tension
• Anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxers for short-term relief of acute symptoms
• Dietary modifications and jaw rest techniques, such as avoiding hard or chewy foods during flare-ups
• Arthrocentesis or TMJ arthroscopy, minimally invasive procedures used to flush or repair the joint
• Open joint surgery for complex structural damage when conservative measures have not provided lasting relief

Not every patient requires surgery. Many cases respond well to conservative care, and we take care to match each patient with the most appropriate level of treatment for their specific presentation.

Why Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Treat TMJ

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely positioned to treat the full spectrum of TMJ disorders, from conservative appliance therapy through arthroscopic and open joint procedures. This breadth of surgical training allows our team to address both the mild and the structurally complex cases of TMD, rather than being limited to non-surgical options. For patients whose TMJ symptoms are connected to a broader jaw alignment concern, orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery may also be worth exploring as part of a longer-term treatment plan.

What to Do If You Have TMJ Symptoms

If you have been experiencing persistent jaw pain, clicking, or headaches, the most important step is to schedule a consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a proper evaluation. In the meantime, you can reduce stress on the joint by keeping your teeth slightly apart when not eating or speaking, avoiding hard and chewy foods, and applying a warm compress to sore jaw muscles. Habits like nail-biting, daytime clenching, or resting your chin on your hand can place additional pressure on the joint and may worsen symptoms over time. If nighttime grinding is a concern, our team can evaluate you for a custom night guard as part of your initial consultation.

TMJ Disorder Care at Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center

At Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center, Dr. Vahedi and Dr. Shadi bring board-certified training in oral and maxillofacial surgery to every TMJ evaluation. Dr. Vahedi is double board-certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Medicine and is fellowship trained in complex reconstructive surgery, with over 15 years of experience serving West LA patients. Our office offers same-day consultations, IV sedation and general anesthesia for surgical TMJ procedures, and advanced cone beam 3D imaging for precise diagnosis. We accept most major PPO insurance plans, and our bilingual team provides care in English, Spanish, and Farsi.

If you have been living with jaw pain, clicking sounds, or chronic headaches in the Los Angeles area, you do not have to continue without answers. Contact us to request an appointment and let us help you find lasting relief.