Now Offering
Facial Pain Therapy in Encino, CA
Facial pain doesn’t always come from your teeth — or even your jaw joint. Dr. Irena Starchenko now offers facial pain evaluation and conservative therapy in Encino, helping you understand what’s causing your pain and coordinating the right care.
Yes — Dental Line, the Encino, CA dental practice of Dr. Irena Starchenko, DDS, now offers facial pain evaluation and therapy. Facial pain can come from the jaw muscles (myofascial pain), a tooth or sinus issue (referred pain), or, less commonly, the facial nerves (neuropathic pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia). Dental Line evaluates and conservatively treats muscular and dental-origin facial pain, and coordinates referral to the right specialist for nerve-related pain. Call (747) 265-6179 to schedule a consultation.
Page reviewed by Dr. Irena Starchenko, DDS — August 2026.
A note on scope: Orofacial pain is a recognized dental specialty distinct from general dentistry. Dental Line evaluates facial pain and treats muscular, joint, and dental-origin causes directly. For pain that appears nerve-related — such as trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain — we provide a thorough evaluation and coordinate referral to the right specialist, rather than treating it in-house.
What Causes Facial Pain?
Facial pain can come from several different sources — an accurate evaluation matters, because treating muscle-based pain like a tooth problem (or vice versa) won’t bring relief.
| If your pain feels like… | It may be related to… |
|---|---|
| Dull, aching muscle soreness, worse when chewing or under stress | Myofascial (muscle) pain — often tied to clenching or tension |
| Pain tied to a specific tooth, or pain after dental work | Referred dental pain — a tooth or gum issue presenting as facial pain |
| Pressure or fullness across the cheeks/forehead, worse when bending over | Sinus-related referred pain |
| Sharp, shock-like, brief episodes of pain, often one-sided | Possible nerve-related pain (e.g. trigeminal neuralgia) — evaluated and referred appropriately |
| Clicking, popping, or pain centered right at the jaw hinge near your ear | Likely TMJ/TMD — see our dedicated TMJ Therapy page |
How We Approach Facial Pain
Evaluation & Diagnosis
A thorough exam to identify whether pain is muscular, dental, sinus-related, or joint-related, since each requires a different approach.
Conservative Muscular Therapy
For myofascial pain: guided jaw and facial stretches, trigger point relief techniques, heat/cold therapy, and stress-reduction guidance.
Dental-Origin Treatment
When facial pain traces back to a tooth or gum issue, treating the underlying dental cause directly.
Coordinated Referral
For pain that appears nerve-related or doesn't respond to dental/muscular treatment, coordinated referral to an orofacial pain specialist or neurologist.
Trained in TMJ & Facial Pain Therapy
TMJ care isn’t part of standard general dentistry training — it’s something a dentist has to pursue separately. Dr. Starchenko did.
Dr. Irena Starchenko, DDS
Dental Line · Encino, CA
USC graduate · ADA & AGD member
Dr. Irena Starchenko, DDS completed the Frontline TMJ and Facial Pain Therapy Level I hands-on training with the American Academy of Facial Esthetics in July 2026, at the AAFE Scottsdale Training Center.
The course is built around the practical side of TMJ care: recognizing what’s actually driving jaw pain, distinguishing joint problems from muscular ones, and applying conservative treatment before anything invasive is considered. It combines online coursework with live patient instruction.
She brings that training together with more than 30 years of clinical experience, as a graduate of USC and a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.
- Hands-on training focused specifically on TMJ and orofacial pain
- Conservative-first approach — night guards and bite adjustment before invasive options
- Clear referral pathway when a case needs specialist care
- Evaluation, treatment, and follow-up in one Encino office
Why Choose Dental Line
One practice, one dentist, three decades of it.
Academy of General Dentistry
Frequently asked questions
Cost depends on the evaluation and any treatment needed. Your consultation includes a personalized estimate.
Coverage depends on the cause and treatment — some causes (like a dental issue) are typically covered, while others may not be. See insurance we accept →
TMJ pain is centered specifically at the jaw joint, near your ear, often with clicking or locking. Facial pain is broader — it can come from facial muscles, teeth, sinuses, or nerves. If your pain is centered at the jaw joint itself, see our TMJ Therapy page.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve condition that needs a proper diagnosis and specialist care — home remedies aren’t a substitute for that. If your symptoms sound like this, we can evaluate you and coordinate a referral to the right specialist.
Yes — sinus pressure or infection can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from your face or upper teeth. Part of a facial pain evaluation is telling this apart from a dental or muscular cause.
