The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the two small but anatomically complex joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull on either side of the face — and when these joints become inflamed, misaligned, or damaged, the resulting condition is broadly called a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Symptoms range from mild jaw stiffness and clicking to severe chronic pain, headaches, ear pain, restricted mouth opening, and audible joint noise during chewing or speaking. While TMD affects an estimated 10 million Americans, the underlying causes vary widely from patient to patient — including muscle hyperactivity from clenching or grinding, joint disc displacement, arthritis, post-traumatic joint injury, and bite irregularities — and effective treatment depends on accurately identifying which of these factors is driving symptoms in each individual case.
Dr. David Salehani is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon whose dual training in dentistry and medicine provides the comprehensive understanding of jaw anatomy, muscle function, and joint biomechanics required to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of TMJ disorders. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors from State University of New York at Stony Brook, his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook School of Medicine, and completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Salehani serves as faculty at UCLA Medical Center, has held a seat on the peer review board of the Los Angeles Dental Society for over seven years, and is past president of the Beverly Hills Academy of Dentistry — credentials that allow him to offer the complete continuum of TMJ care, from conservative non-surgical management through complex joint surgery for advanced cases.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
- Jaw Pain and Tenderness: Discomfort in the jaw joint or surrounding muscles, often worse with chewing, yawning, or wide mouth opening.
- Clicking, Popping, or Grating: Audible sounds in one or both joints during jaw motion, with or without pain.
- Headaches and Facial Pain: Tension headaches, temple pain, or generalized facial pain that may be confused with sinus or migraine symptoms.
- Ear Pain or Fullness: Aching, ringing, or pressure in the ears that has been cleared by an ENT physician without finding an ear cause.
- Restricted Mouth Opening: Inability to open the mouth fully or episodes of jaw locking in either an open or closed position.
- Bite Changes: A sense that the teeth no longer fit together correctly, or that the bite has shifted over time.
TMJ Treatment Options
Treatment is matched to the underlying cause and severity of each patient’s symptoms — most TMJ patients respond well to conservative measures and never require surgery. Dr. Salehani’s treatment approach includes:
- Custom Oral Appliances: Night guards and bite splints designed to reduce muscle hyperactivity, protect the joint and teeth from grinding, and stabilize joint position during sleep.
- Therapeutic Botox Injections: TMJ Botox relaxes the masseter and temporalis muscles to break the cycle of clenching and grinding, with relief typically lasting three to four months per session.
- Physical Therapy and Self-Care: Targeted exercises, jaw rest, dietary modification, and stress management techniques to address muscle-driven TMD.
- Arthrocentesis and Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive joint procedures used to flush inflammatory mediators from the joint or visualize and treat internal joint pathology.
- Open Joint Surgery: Reserved for advanced cases involving severe structural damage, advanced arthritis, or significant disc pathology that has not responded to conservative treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Disorders
Do I need surgery for TMJ pain?
The vast majority of TMJ patients are successfully managed with conservative treatment — oral appliances, Botox, physical therapy, and lifestyle modification — without ever needing surgical intervention.
Why does my jaw click or pop?
Joint sounds are often caused by displacement of the cartilage disc within the TMJ — clicking without pain is generally not a cause for concern, while painful or worsening clicking warrants evaluation to determine whether intervention is needed.
Can TMJ disorders cause headaches?
Yes — chronic muscle tension in the masseter and temporalis muscles is a frequent contributor to tension-type headaches and can also worsen migraine frequency, which is why many headache patients benefit from TMJ-focused treatment.
Will my insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Coverage varies — some medical and dental plans cover TMJ evaluation and treatment, particularly when symptoms are severe or chronic, and the practice’s billing team can verify benefits before treatment.
Is jaw locking an emergency?
Acute jaw locking — particularly when the mouth cannot be closed — should be evaluated promptly, though it is rarely a true emergency — most cases resolve with appropriate manipulation and follow-up care to prevent recurrence.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Conservative treatment typically produces noticeable improvement within two to four weeks, with continued progress over two to three months — Botox results emerge within one to two weeks of injection.
Schedule a TMJ Consultation in West Hollywood
If chronic jaw pain, headaches, or restricted mouth opening are affecting your quality of life, contact Sunset Oral and Facial Surgery at (310) 275-3635 to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Salehani at our West Hollywood office, serving patients throughout Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and the surrounding communities.
