TMJ Dentist IN BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Top TMJ TMJ Dentistry in Los Angeles

Media + News

The Wellness Hour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zinVt5N1Uo TMJFree Initial Consultation ($150 Value)

Relieve jaw pain! Free CT scan and initial consultation (worth $150 value) to discuss TMJ treatment.

Book Now

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPECIAL OFFER

[gravityform id=”6″ title=”false”]

What is TMJ Disorder?

What is TMJ? TMJ is short for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder which is a painful condition in which the temporomandibular joint, the main joint in the mouth, is overworked or misaligned. It can lead to headaches, oral and neck pain, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth. Many patients describe an audible popping or clicking sound when yawning or chewing. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often mistaken for stress or something else other than a bad bite! If you’re experiencing jaw and tooth pain, facial pain, ear pain and congestion, headaches, or neck, shoulder and back pain, you could have TMJ. Also, TMJ can cause numbness in the arms, hands, and fingers, along with clicking, popping or locking of the jaw. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, hiring an experienced TMJ dentist is highly advised. If interested, contact TMJ specialist Dr. David Frey today with main office in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

TMJ Causes

TMJ Symptoms

TMJ Treatment

TMJ Treatment Without Surgery

Risk of Untreated TMJ

https://youtu.be/ztv77Zv-VvA

KNOW MORE About TMJ

TMJ can be very painful, and unfortunately, the symptoms are often mistaken for stress or something else other than a bad bite.

As the name implies, dental veneers are similar in concept to the veneers that may cover a dresser in your bedroom. In furniture, a veneer of higher quality wood is put on top of the underlying lesser quality wood to make the piece look perfect, yet not be as costly as if the entire piece was made of the expensive wood.

Consulting with a TMJ Dentistry is highly advised if you are experiencing TMJ sympthoms.

We Can Help You

Signs and Symptoms To See a TMJ Dentist

Headaches

Pain around the head can be caused by a muscle imbalance with the TMJ and Bite.

Neck Pain

Our heads weigh 10 pounds on average and our bodies work hard to keep it centered above our shoulders. Any imbalance can cause aches and pain.

Facial Muscle Pain

Large muscles around the head and neck hold on to the TMJ and when stressed can cause pain around the face

Jaw Popping

This is a sign of imbalance with the bite and muscles of the head and neck. The sound you hear is a signal that the articulator disc is coming off its track

Ear Pain

Many anatomical structures are shared between the jaw joint and the ear like the DML (distal-mallear ligament). When tight pressure from muscles or ligaments exists these symptoms can result.

Difficulty Chewing

Struggling to eat and chew can be related to a bad bite which means unhappy muscles.

Snoring

Sleep Apnea or hypoxia can have a TMJ-related component in approximately half the cases. Relieve Your Pain With a TMJ Specialist in Beverly Hills

RELIEVE YOUR TMJ PAIN

PHASE 1

Let our Beverly Hills TMJ Specialist team resolve or greatly diminish your symptoms and pain.

Phase 1 is a test and is reversible. What that means is that the treatment is made to resolve or greatly diminish the pain symptoms you are experiencing without doing anything irreversible like surgery. The way we do this is by trying to find what we call, “physiological rest” of all the muscles of the head and neck and hold it there with a bite splint. We accomplish this by finding harmony between the muscles of the head and neck, the bite, and the TMJ joint itself. We do that by working backwards! We first relax all the muscles of the head and neck using sophisticated medical instruments like TENs machines and Electromyography sensors. Once we relax the muscles of the head and neck, the jaw joint will usually decompress and the teeth are relaxed apart from one another. At this time, we capture that position of the jaw joint using a dental impression material and build the bite to this relaxed position. We call this an orthotic and they can be made so they do not come out ( fixed) or in a removable appliance.

PHASE 2

Keep the pain from coming back permanently.

Once a bite is found that is in harmony with the muscles of the head and neck and the TMJ Joint and your pain is greatly reduced or completely resolved we want to maintain the position that the splint is holding your bite together indefinitely. There are several ways of accomplishing this. The most common ways are utilizing porcelain such as crowns and veneers or orthodontic braces to maintain the position of the jaw and muscles that we found in Phase 1

TESTIMONIALS

Our past patients are our biggest fans. Hear what they have to say about their journey with PWS.
[elementor-template id=”9626″]
[elementor-template id=”9632″]
[elementor-template id=”9645″]
[elementor-template id=”9659″]
[elementor-template id=”9667″]
[elementor-template id=”9675″]
[elementor-template id=”9684″]
[elementor-template id=”9692″]
[elementor-template id=”9697″]
[elementor-template id=”9706″]
[elementor-template id=”9714″]
[elementor-template id=”9722″]
[elementor-template id=”9731″]
[elementor-template id=”9740″]
[elementor-template id=”9748″]

What Our Patients Have To Say

rating

“Erica was not happy with the gaps in her teeth, and she would often keep from laughing and smiling to hide them. Using a diode laser, we were able to adjust Erica’s gum line and really open eher smile for a beautiful result. She says that her new smile has “changed my life dramatically.”

Erica
rating

“Jamie says her eyes “filled with tears” when she first saw her new smile with veneers. At 31 years old, she admits to having trouble smiling with her mouth open, and would often hold back from laughing in order to hide her crooked and yellowed teeth. “I wish I had done it sooner,” she comments”.

Jamie
rating

“Brian is a young, aspiring actor and felt that gaps and spaces in his natural teeth were holding him back. With his new movie-star smile and porcelain veneers, Brian’s confidence is “through the roof” and he hopes to light up the silver screen”.

Brian
rating

“Dr. Stevens is a “big believer in Dr. Frey” after knowing him for years and having him perfect his smile. He trusts in him so much that he sent his mother, brother, and his own plastic surgery patients to see him! Dr. Stevens says Dr. Frey is the “icing on the cake” for his patients.”

Dr. Stevens
rating

“Rick wanted to fix the gap in his front teeth, but he did not want to wait 1 to 2 years for traditional metal braces to work. Instead he chose veneers, which were applied in less than 2 visits. When he returned to Oregon to visit his family, he said they immediately noticed his new smile.”

Rick

TMJ Related Frequently Asked Questions In Beverly Hills

If you want to learn even more, we invite you to reach out for a free smile consultation where we can answer all of your questions in depth.

What Is Electromyography (EMG)?

Like a Richter scale showing an earthquake, EMG data allows us to assess how unhappy the muscles are. It also guides us into a bite position where we know the muscles are more relaxed. Getting the EMG muscle data as low as possible is the key to getting you out of pain! Low EMGs tells us that you are relaxed and in a healthy position. Using a TENS machine and other techniques to decompress the jaw joint will also help get these muscles as calm as possible.

What Is A TENS Machine?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS or TNS ) is a device that will send an electrical impulse to the nerve that innervates all the muscles of the TMJ. We use this machine to relax the jaw muscles (low earthquakes on the Richter scale). We use the TENS to buzz all the tension out of the muscles before we capture your physiological correct bite position. We say the muscles of the jaw is like a puppet on strings. Many times these strings are tangled and need unwinding. The TENS machine helps us relax these muscles.

What Happens If TMJ Is Left Untreated?

Chronic pain is the main component of TMJ – pain in your jaws, mouth, teeth, ears, neck, shoulders, and head. Chronic pain leads to depression, alcoholism, addiction to pain medication, and diminished daily existence. Many TMJ sufferers grind their teeth while they sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Left unattended, this leads to cracked and damaged teeth and usually is accompanied by insomnia. Ear problems such as tinnitus are another result of TMJ, as can be inner ear problems leading to problems with vertigo. The continued pressure on your misaligned jaw can lead to permanent jaw damage, including possible jaw locking or jaw dislocation due to damaged cartilage.

How Does TMJ Affect My Ability To Open My Mouth Normally?

Locking of the jaw can occur in an open or closed position. This can be caused by jaw muscles that are stiff and may actually spasm which we call Trismus. Another reason for a locked jaw occurs when the soft cushion/disc between the bone of the skull and the jaw joint can move into a position that precludes normal jaw joint function, limiting the movement. The good news is, techniques are available to get the jaw moving normally! We can start your TMJ treatment in Los Angeles right away!

What Causes TMJ?

TMJ can be caused by a number of issues. Some of these include:

Unbalanced, misaligned bites like deep bites or over-jet bites, crossbite, and many others.
Airway issues relating to poor sleep
Unhappy tense jaw muscles
A compressed jaw joint that does not allow for the disc to ride on the joint properly. This may cause popping and clicking.
Injury or trauma
poor posture

Can I Test For TMJ At Home? Do I Need A Doctor?

We recommend that you see a TMJ Specialist in our Beverly Hills office right away. There is no substitute for a professional evaluation with a dentist who uses a 3D CT scan along with an evaluation of your head and neck and your bite and condition of your teeth! There are a few tests you can try at home to get a sense of possible TMJ. If you suffer from facial pain, migraine headaches, or other symptoms – these tests can point to TMJ

Opening your jaws – Open your mouth while looking in the mirror. If your lower jaw doesn’t move straight downward, subtly moving to one side instead
Clicking or popping – Your jaw should open and close silently. If you hear a clicking or popping sound, these are signs the joint is not functioning properly. (if it used to pop and stopped, it could be an advanced stage)
Inability to fully open your mouth – When your mouth is fully open, most people are able to vertically insert three stacked fingers between the teeth. If you are not able to do that, your jaw muscles have unnatural pressure caused by TMJ.
You are always trying to rest your lower jaw somewhere to relieve tension.

What is the TMJ treatment process?

Los Angeles TMJ specialist Dr. Frey is a leading expert in Neuromuscular dentistry and has treated thousands of patients with persistent pain from TMJ disorder. Neuromuscular dentistry emphasizes the importance of the position of the jaw, teeth, and surrounding tissues.

In our Beverly Hills office, TMJ treatment is divided into two phases: Phase 1 is stopping the symptoms or severely diminishing the symptoms of the TMJ disorder, and Phase 2 is preserving the results of the treatment. This can be accommplished many different ways. For example, holding the corrective bite position with porcelain crowns and veneers, or with an orthodontic procedure thus moving the teeth into the corrective bite position found in Phase 1. . Phase 2 can also involve permanent splint therapy, bite adjustments, and doing nothing.

PHASE ONE: In phase one, a TENS machine (see below) is used to get the muscles of your jaw into a relaxed natural position. We call this the “physiological resting position.” This machine will relax overworked jaw muscles with tiny, relaxing electrical impulses. We can also de-compress the joint using manual decompression techniques and other devices. We prove that the jaw muscles are relaxed by evaluating EMG (electromyography data – see below) which is like looking at a Richter Scale measuring an earthquake. We then capture this position with a dental play-doh molding material. Once we have the location of the corrective bite position, we can then realign your bite into the optimal, relaxed, position. We actually work backward. We first relax the muscles of the jaw and then decompress the jaw joint. Once the muscles are relaxed and the jaw is decompressed, you look to see where the jaw is exactly and capture that position.

You will then wear a custom-shaped orthotic (basically a re-aligned bite) to rehabilitate the jaw muscles. These “trial” bites can be fixed or removable. The fixed orthotic is bonded to the top of your existing teeth and looks and feels perfectly natural. It will not alter your speech, and no one will notice you’re wearing it. The process takes a month or less for your muscles to acclimate to the new bite position, and many patients report headaches, back and neck pain, ringing in the ears, vertigo, and many other symptoms associated with TMJ dissipating or completely vanishing.

PHASE TWO: Phase two of the treatment begins once you’re comfortable with your new bite and your TMJ symptoms are doing better. In order to sustain the results of your Phase 1 TMJ treatment, we may recommend a restorative solution like a full-mouth rehabilitation plan or orthodontics solution depending on your personal situation. There are many options to choose from once your TMJ symptoms have vanished, including just wearing a splint or doing nothing.

Can TMJ Be Treated Without Surgery?

Our philosophy is to avoid jaw surgery wherever possible. Surgery should be the last resort when all other non-surgical methods are exhausted. We understand that surgery may be the best approach for certain scenarios but in our experience, the majority of TMJ patients can resolve their symptoms without surgery. We do everything in our power to treat TMJ organically without surgery. We do this by finding a bite position that is in harmony with the muscles of the head and neck, and the jaw joint. We find this zone of comfort position for patients in a material that is completely reversible. We call this Phase 1. It’s a test to see if we can resolve the TMJ. Once the bite position is resolved, we recommend permanent solutions to keep it from coming back.

Why Does TMJ Cause Pain or Symptoms?

The three components of your bite – the way your teeth come together, the muscles of mastication, and the temporomandibular joint – all three must work together for correct function. Many times, when the three are not working together, patients report experiencing symptoms like headaches, jaw pain, facial pain, ear pain, dizziness, tinnitus, neck, back, and shoulder pain.

The pain is due to the continued chronic, the stress of the misaligned jaw trying to find alignment with the muscles and the jaw joint or vice versa. Considering we use our bite, muscles, and the temporomandibular joint every day, the pain can be debilitating and feels like the body cannot heal it on its own.

Sometimes, it’s like a straw that breaks the camel’s back. ” I just had a dental crown when it started”. The body does everything it can to keep your body in equilbrium. When something disrupts this equilibrium, pain can start.

What Are The Symptoms Of TMJ?

Jaw pain, facial pain, ear pain, headaches, migraines, neck, shoulder, and back pain, dizziness, tinnitus, numbness in the arms, hands, and fingers, clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Dr. Frey–the best TMJ dentist in the Los Angeles area–today to find out if you have TMJ

What Is The Difference Between TMJ, TMD, And TMJD?

These three acronyms all point to the same thing – temporomandibular joint disorder. Sometimes TMJ is used to solely describe the joint. Sometimes TMD is used to describe a patient who is experiencing symptoms and has an imbalance in the muscles of the head and neck, the jaw joint, and the bite. TMJD is rarely used, and simply adds the D for “disorder”. TMJ is a syndrome that can involve painful symptoms like jaw pain and headaches which are most common.

How Can our Los Angeles TMJ Specialist team Help

Why Choose Our Beverly Hills TMJ Dentistry Practice?

If you’re searching for an experienced TMJ dentist in Beverly Hills or the greater Los Angeles area, Dr. David Frey specializes in advanced TMJ dentistry using neuromuscular techniques. TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a painful condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. As a leading Beverly Hills TMJ specialist, Dr. Frey treats patients from throughout Los Angeles County including West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, and the Westside

How much does TMJ treatment cost in Beverly Hills?

TMJ treatment costs vary based on severity and treatment type, ranging from a few hundred dollars for conservative therapy to several thousand for comprehensive neuromuscular treatment.

Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?

Many dental and medical insurance plans provide partial coverage for TMJ treatment, though coverage varies by plan and treatment type.

ow long does TMJ treatment take to work?

Most patients experience relief within 2-4 weeks of starting treatment, though complete resolution may take several months depending on severity.

Can TMJ cause headaches and migraines?

Yes, TMJ disorders frequently cause tension headaches and migraines due to muscle tension and nerve irritation in the jaw, temples, and neck.

Why does my jaw click or pop?

Jaw clicking or popping occurs when the disc inside your TMJ shifts out of position, often due to misalignment or muscle tension.

Can TMJ cause ear pain or ringing?

Yes, TMJ can cause ear pain, fullness, and tinnitus (ringing) because the jaw joint sits directly in front of the ear canal.

[elementor-template id=”12503″]