The most effective TMJ treatment for most people is conservative care: jaw rest, softer foods, heat or cold, anti-inflammatory medicine when it is safe for you, and a custom oral appliance when clenching is part of the problem. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the first medicine for TMD, and reserves surgery for a small group of structural or long-standing cases.
That order matters. Treatments that permanently change the teeth, the bite, or the joint do not have strong evidence behind them, and some can make symptoms worse. At Dental Line, care follows the same sequence.
| Option | What it does | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Self-care and habit changes | Rests the joint and cuts muscle strain | Mild pain, morning tightness, new symptoms |
| Custom night guard or occlusal splint | Reduces clenching and grinding force | Night grinding, worn teeth, muscle pain |
| Jaw exercises and physical therapy | Improves movement and eases muscle tension | Stiffness, limited opening, muscle-driven pain |
| Bite evaluation | Finds tooth contact that overloads the joint | Pain tied to chewing or an uneven bite |
| Referral for advanced care | Brings in an oral surgeon or orofacial pain specialist | Locking, trauma, or pain that does not improve |
Jaw clicking, a locked bite, or soreness that shows up every morning usually points to the temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull in front of each ear. When the joint or the muscles around it stop working smoothly, the problem is a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. People often call both the joint and the disorder TMJ.
Dental Line provides TMJ treatment in Encino for jaw pain, clicking, popping, locking, and morning tightness. Dr. Irena Starchenko, DDS, starts with reversible care. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends trying simpler treatments first, because many people improve without surgery.
What is TMJ, and when is it TMD?
The TMJ is a sliding hinge. A disc of cartilage sits between the jawbone and the skull so the jaw can open, close, and move side to side. TMD is the disorder: pain or poor function in that joint, the disc, or the chewing muscles.
Painless clicking is common and usually does not need treatment. NIDCR notes that joint sounds without pain are normal. Pain, locking, or trouble eating is what deserves an exam.
Symptoms Dr. Starchenko evaluates in Encino include:
- Jaw or facial pain near the ear
- Clicking, popping, or grinding with pain
- Trouble opening wide, or a jaw that locks open or closed
- Morning soreness or tightness
- Pain while chewing
- Headache, ear pressure, or neck ache that tracks with jaw use
Common causes are teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), a jaw injury, arthritis in the joint, missing or heavily worn teeth, and long-term stress held in the jaw. Bite misalignment can add strain, but it is not the cause in every case, so the exam looks at the joint, the muscles, and the teeth together.
How does conservative TMJ care work?
Conservative TMJ care reduces load on the joint and gives irritated muscles time to settle. It is reversible, which is why it comes before any permanent change to the teeth.
For a new or mild flare, that usually means softer foods for a short time, heat or cold on the sore side, and stopping gum chewing, nail biting, and wide yawns. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine can help if your physician says it is safe for you. Many mild cases ease with this kind of self-care. Pain that lasts, worsens, or limits opening still needs an exam.
How do custom night guards and occlusal splints help?
A custom night guard or occlusal splint is a removable appliance that fits your teeth and keeps the jaw from clenching at full force while you sleep. It protects worn enamel and gives the joint a break from nighttime grinding.
A custom appliance is not the same as a boil-and-bite guard from a drugstore. Those often fit poorly and can shift the bite. A guard made from an impression of your teeth stays seated and is adjusted at follow-up visits. NIDCR’s guidance is that an oral appliance should not permanently change the teeth or the bite, and the appliances made at Dental Line are designed that way: they come out, and your teeth stay as they are.
A splint helps most when clenching or grinding is driving the pain. It is not a fix for a damaged disc or for arthritis inside the joint, which is why it follows an exam rather than replacing one.
What is the role of jaw exercises and physical therapy?
Jaw exercises stretch tight muscles and retrain opening so the joint moves without catching. Simple, gentle movement is part of first-line care. Forceful stretching is not.
Dr. Starchenko shows patients a short set of stretches and strengthening moves they can do at home, and refers to a physical therapist when hands-on muscle treatment or a guided program is a better fit. Physical therapy tends to help most when the pain is muscular: tightness, limited opening, and soreness that spreads into the temple or neck.
When does the bite need attention?
The bite needs attention when specific teeth hit first and force the jaw into a strained position. A bite evaluation shows whether that contact pattern is adding to the joint load.
Small, selective adjustments to how the teeth meet can reduce that strain. Permanent changes are a different matter. Reshaping teeth, crowning them, or moving them with orthodontics purely to treat TMD is not well supported, and NIDCR notes these procedures can aggravate symptoms. Dental Line does not start there.
When a tooth is already cracked, heavily worn, or missing, restoring it can be appropriate for the tooth itself. That is planned as dental care, not as a TMJ cure. A worn molar may need a dental crown to protect it, and clear aligners are for straightening teeth, not for treating the joint.
Who needs surgery for TMJ?
Very few people need surgery for TMJ. Open-joint surgery is generally reserved for severe, lasting problems or a joint that is already badly damaged, and patients considering it should get a second opinion.
Dental Line does not perform TMJ surgery. If locking, trauma, or pain continues after conservative care, Dr. Starchenko refers to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an orofacial pain specialist and sends along the findings from your exam. Procedures such as arthrocentesis, a flush of the joint, or arthroscopy are specialist decisions, used for selected cases, not a first step.
How is TMJ treatment different from facial pain therapy?
TMJ treatment focuses on the joint and the muscles that move it: clicking, locking, and pain right at the hinge. Facial pain therapy covers a wider set of causes, including muscle pain that is not centered on the joint, tooth or gum problems, sinus pressure, and nerve pain.
If your pain sits in the jaw joint or shows up as clicking and morning tightness, this page is the right starting point. If it spreads across the face, the teeth, or the sinuses, a facial pain evaluation sorts out which structure is involved before any appliance is made.
What happens at a TMJ visit in Encino?
A TMJ visit starts with your history and a hands-on exam of the joint, the muscles, and how your teeth meet. Dr. Starchenko looks at opening, joint sounds, muscle tenderness, and signs of grinding, then matches the plan to the cause.
You leave with a clear next step: self-care instructions, a custom appliance, an exercise plan, a small bite adjustment, or a referral. The office is at 18024 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316, and patients come from Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Studio City, and nearby San Fernando Valley neighborhoods. If you are looking for a dentist in Encino who will examine the joint before recommending treatment, this is that visit.
Dr. Starchenko completed Frontline TMJ and Facial Pain Therapy Level I hands-on training through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics in July 2026. She is a USC graduate with more than 30 years in practice and a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. The AAFE course is continuing education, not a specialty board certification, and specialist referral is part of the plan when a case needs it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does TMJ treatment cost at Dental Line in Encino?
Cost depends on what the exam shows. A night guard, a short course of exercises, and a specialist referral are priced differently. The consultation includes a written estimate before anything is made.
Does dental insurance cover TMJ treatment?
Many PPO plans cover part of a custom oral appliance. Coverage for exams and follow-up visits varies by plan. Bring your insurance details to the consultation and the office will help you check benefits.
What is the difference between a locked jaw and TMJ clicking?
Clicking without pain is common and often needs no treatment. A jaw that locks open or closed, or pain that stops you from eating, should be evaluated promptly.
Can TMJ go away on its own?
Mild symptoms often settle with rest, softer foods, and less clenching. Pain that lasts more than a couple of weeks, gets worse, or limits opening should be examined rather than waited out.
Will I need surgery for TMJ?
Most patients do not. Surgery is for severe, lasting joint damage or cases that fail conservative care, and it is handled by a specialist after a second opinion.
How long does a custom night guard last?
A well-fitted guard typically lasts several years, depending on how hard you grind. It should be checked at your regular visits so the fit stays comfortable and does not change your bite.
Let’s find the cause of your jaw pain
Bring the clicking, the morning tightness, or the locked jaw to an exam before you commit to a treatment. Dr. Starchenko will tell you which option fits and which ones you can skip. Request an appointment or call (747) 265-6179. The office is open Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
