Temporomandibular joint syndrome, also called TMJ syndrome or TMJ disorder, affects your jaw joint and the muscles that control how your jaw moves. Your temporomandibular joint is the hinge that allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak. When this joint does not work correctly, it causes pain, clicking, popping, stiffness, and difficulty eating. Many people in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles experience TMJ syndrome but do not know where to find treatment. Dr. Bruce Vafa is a holistic dentist and TMJ specialist who treats temporomandibular joint syndrome with a whole-person approach that addresses the real cause of your jaw problems.
Temporomandibular joint syndrome can develop from jaw injury, poor bite alignment, teeth grinding, stress, poor posture, and sleep apnea. If left untreated, TMJ syndrome can cause chronic pain, muscle tension, headaches, and sleep problems that affect your daily life. Dr. Vafa’s holistic approach to TMJ syndrome treatment focuses on finding what is causing your jaw joint to malfunction and creating a personalized treatment plan to heal the problem naturally. At our Beverly Hills dental office, we combine advanced diagnostic technology with natural healing methods to help you get relief from TMJ syndrome and restore full jaw function.
Dr. Bruce Vafa offers comprehensive treatment options for temporomandibular joint syndrome that work with your body’s natural healing ability. Treatment options include custom bite guards to improve jaw alignment and reduce joint stress, physical therapy and jaw exercises to strengthen muscles and improve joint movement, occlusal adjustment to balance your bite and correct misalignment, stress management and relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension, sleep apnea therapy to improve breathing and jaw function, therapeutic massage and muscle relaxation, nutritional counseling to support joint and muscle health, and posture correction to reduce jaw joint strain. We also provide advanced diagnostic imaging including X-rays and MRI to evaluate your temporomandibular joint, and we work with physical therapists and other specialists in the Los Angeles area.
Every TMJ syndrome patient receives a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of their condition and the cause of their jaw problems. Dr. Vafa uses a multi-disciplinary approach that combines dental treatment with holistic healing to give you lasting relief. Many patients see significant improvement in their TMJ symptoms within four to six weeks of starting treatment. We focus on reducing jaw joint stress, improving muscle function, and supporting your body’s natural healing ability. Whether your temporomandibular joint syndrome is caused by bite misalignment, stress, teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or injury, Dr. Vafa has the expertise and technology to help you recover and enjoy normal jaw function again.
Dr. Bruce Vafa is a board-trained holistic dentist with specialized expertise in temporomandibular joint syndrome, sleep apnea, and TMJ disorders. He has helped hundreds of patients in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles overcome TMJ syndrome and restore their quality of life. At our Beverly Hills dental office, we use advanced diagnostic technology including digital imaging, bite analysis, and jaw function assessment to identify exactly what is causing your temporomandibular joint problems. Dr. Vafa takes time to listen to your symptoms, understand your health history, and create a treatment plan that works for your lifestyle and health goals.
Our practice is known for combining conventional dental medicine with holistic healing principles to treat your whole health, not just your jaw. Patients choose Dr. Vafa because he explains everything clearly, answers all your questions, and makes you feel comfortable and supported throughout your treatment. We offer flexible payment options and work with most insurance plans for Beverly Hills and local patients. When you visit our office, you get expert TMJ syndrome treatment, sleep apnea solutions, holistic dental care, and personalized attention all in one place. Your healing and wellness are our top priorities, and we are committed to helping you achieve lasting relief from temporomandibular joint syndrome.
“Temporomandibular joint syndrome is your jaw’s way of saying something is wrong. Most people think they just have to live with the clicking, popping, and pain, but I know better. I find the real cause—whether it is your bite, stress, sleep problems, or muscle imbalance—and we fix it. When we treat the actual problem instead of just covering it up, your jaw heals completely. That is what holistic TMJ treatment means. We do not just treat the joint. We heal your whole body.”
Dr. Bruce Vafa, TMJ and Sleep Apnea Specialist, Beverly Hills
TMJ dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are closely interconnected. Poor jaw positioning from TMJ disorder can cause airway collapse during sleep, leading to sleep apnea. Additionally, sleep-related bruxism (teeth grinding) worsens both conditions. As a TMJ and sleep apnea specialist in Beverly Hills, I evaluate how jaw structure and positioning affect airway patency and breathing during sleep, treating both conditions comprehensively.
Temporomandibular joint syndrome is a disorder of your jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Your temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ syndrome develops from bite misalignment, jaw injury, teeth grinding, stress, poor posture, muscle tension, and sleep apnea. Dr. Vafa treats TMJ syndrome by finding and fixing the real cause of your jaw dysfunction.
Temporomandibular joint syndrome is a disorder of your jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Your temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ syndrome develops from bite misalignment, jaw injury, teeth grinding, stress, poor posture, muscle tension, and sleep apnea. Dr. Vafa treats TMJ syndrome by finding and fixing the real cause of your jaw dysfunction.
Symptoms of TMJ syndrome include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when you open your mouth, jaw stiffness, difficulty chewing, ear pain, headaches, neck and shoulder tension, and limited jaw opening. Some patients also experience facial pain or pain radiating down their arms. If you experience these symptoms in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles, Dr. Vafa can help diagnose and treat your TMJ syndrome.
Dr. Vafa performs a complete evaluation that includes examining your jaw movement, analyzing your bite, taking digital X-rays and imaging, checking your muscle function, reviewing your health history, and asking about your symptoms. This thorough diagnosis helps him identify the exact cause of your temporomandibular joint syndrome so he can create an effective treatment plan.
Yes, most cases of temporomandibular joint syndrome can be successfully treated without surgery. Dr. Vafa focuses on non-invasive treatments like bite guards, physical therapy, jaw exercises, stress management, sleep apnea therapy, and holistic healing methods. Surgery is only considered when conservative treatments do not work after several months of treatment.
Treatment time for temporomandibular joint syndrome depends on how severe your condition is and what is causing it. Many patients see improvement within four to six weeks of starting treatment with Dr. Vafa. More complex cases may take three to six months for complete resolution. Dr. Vafa will give you a realistic timeline during your first consultation at his Beverly Hills office.
A custom bite guard protects your temporomandibular joint by holding your jaw in the correct position, preventing teeth grinding, reducing jaw clenching, and decreasing muscle tension. The bite guard is especially helpful at night when you sleep. Many patients at Dr. Vafa’s Beverly Hills office get significant relief from TMJ syndrome symptoms by wearing a custom bite guard.
Yes, temporomandibular joint syndrome and sleep apnea are often connected. Sleep apnea causes your jaw to become misaligned during breathing episodes, which creates stress on your jaw joint. Poor sleep also prevents your TMJ from healing. Dr. Vafa treats both TMJ syndrome and sleep apnea together for complete relief and healing.
Occlusal adjustment is when Dr. Vafa carefully reshapes your bite so your teeth come together correctly. When your bite is unbalanced, it puts extra stress on your temporomandibular joint. By adjusting your bite, Dr. Vafa reduces stress on your jaw joint, improves muscle function, and helps your TMJ syndrome heal naturally.
Yes, stress and muscle tension are major causes of temporomandibular joint syndrome. When you are stressed or anxious, you tend to clench your jaw and tighten your neck and shoulder muscles. Over time, this tension damages your jaw joint and creates TMJ syndrome. Dr. Vafa’s holistic approach includes stress management techniques to help prevent and treat stress-related TMJ problems.
Call our Beverly Hills office today to book your first appointment for temporomandibular joint syndrome treatment. During your visit, Dr. Vafa will perform a complete evaluation of your jaw, teeth, bite, and muscle function. He will listen to your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan to help you overcome TMJ syndrome and restore healthy jaw function and comfort.
This FAQ helps patients understand three connected health conditions: temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and orofacial pain. The FAQ explains how these conditions work together and affect each other. When patients have jaw pain, morning headaches, or sleep problems, these symptoms often come from the same underlying cause like poor jaw position or airway issues.
This FAQ describes how I diagnose these conditions using advanced tools like CBCT imaging, sleep studies, bite analysis, and physical examination. It also explains different treatment options available to patients. These treatments range from simple solutions like custom night guards and special jaw devices to more complex options like surgery.