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TMJ Treatment & Evaluation
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Understanding TMJ Pain and Your Treatment Options

TMJ pain can affect the way you eat, speak, sleep, and move through your day. While many people use “TMJ” to describe jaw pain, clicking, locking, or facial tension, the temporomandibular joint is the joint itself. TMJ disorders can involve the joint, the surrounding muscles, or both, which is why a thoughtful evaluation is the first step toward lasting relief.

At Los Angeles Oral & Facial Surgery, Dr. Derek Tow specializes in the surgical and non-surgical management of TMJ pathologies and myofascial pain. His approach begins with a thoughtful evaluation of your symptoms, jaw function, muscle activity, bite, health history, and imaging when needed, so your treatment plan is based on what is actually causing your discomfort.

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The benefits of TMJ treatment

Find the source of your pain

Jaw pain can come from the joint, the muscles, the bite, clenching, grinding, inflammation, injury, or a combination of issues. A detailed evaluation helps clarify what is contributing to your symptoms.

Relieve muscle tension and discomfort

For patients with overactive jaw, facial, neck, or shoulder muscles, targeted treatment can help reduce strain, improve comfort, and support healthier movement patterns.

Access surgical and non-surgical expertise

Dr. Tow offers a comprehensive perspective on TMJ care, from conservative treatment options to surgical management when joint pathology requires a more advanced solution.

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The TMJ evaluation process

1

Detailed conversation

Your visit begins with a one-on-one discussion about your symptoms, pain patterns, jaw function, previous treatments, clenching or grinding habits, and how your discomfort is affecting daily life.

2

Exam and imaging

Dr. Tow evaluates your jaw movement, bite, joint sounds, muscle tenderness, and areas of facial or neck tension. When needed, imaging may be recommended to better understand the joint, bone, and surrounding structures.

3

Diagnosis and treatment planning

Once Dr. Tow understands what may be contributing to your symptoms, he will walk you through your options. Your plan may include non-surgical care, Botox for muscle tension, additional imaging, referrals, monitoring, or surgical treatment if appropriate.

4

Relief and long-term support

TMJ care is not one-size-fits-all. Dr. Tow will help you understand what to expect, how to manage symptoms, and when to follow up so your treatment can be adjusted based on your comfort, function, and progress.

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FAQ's

TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. TMD refers to disorders that affect the joint, the surrounding muscles, or both. Many patients use “TMJ” to describe symptoms like jaw pain, clicking, locking, clenching, or facial tension.

Dr. Tow can evaluate a wide range of TMJ and myofascial pain symptoms, including jaw pain or soreness, facial pain or pressure, headaches related to jaw tension, clicking or popping in the jaw, limited opening, difficulty chewing, jaw locking, clenching or grinding, ear-area discomfort, neck and shoulder tension, and pain after jaw trauma or previous TMJ treatment.

You should consider an evaluation if you have ongoing jaw pain, limited opening, locking, painful clicking, clenching, grinding, facial pain, or symptoms that have not improved with basic at-home care. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Tow can evaluate both muscle-related pain and more complex joint pathology.

Yes. Not every TMJ concern requires surgery. In many cases, treatment begins with reducing inflammation, calming overactive muscles, improving daily jaw habits, and helping the joint and surrounding tissues function more comfortably. Depending on your evaluation, Dr. Tow may recommend non-surgical options such as Botox for muscle tension, habit modifications, anti-inflammatory support, imaging, monitoring, or coordination with another specialist when appropriate.

Yes, Botox may help when TMJ discomfort is related to overactive muscles, clenching, grinding, or myofascial pain. By relaxing targeted muscles such as the masseter or trapezius, treatment may reduce tension and help improve comfort. Dr. Tow will evaluate your symptoms and muscle activity to determine whether Botox is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.

Masseter Botox is a targeted treatment placed into the masseter muscles, which are the strong jaw muscles used for chewing, clenching, and grinding. When these muscles are overactive, they can contribute to jaw pain, headaches, facial soreness, TMJ discomfort, and tension through the lower face. Carefully relaxing the masseter muscles may help reduce excess muscle activity while preserving natural jaw movement and function.

In some cases, yes. TMJ disorders and myofascial pain can involve more than the jaw. Tension may extend into the neck, shoulders, and upper back, especially when the trapezius muscles are overworked. Trapezius Botox, sometimes called TrapTox or Barbie Botox, may help relax these muscles and reduce tension as part of a broader TMJ and myofascial pain treatment plan.

Not always. Many TMJ concerns can be managed with non-surgical care. Surgery is typically considered when TMJ pain is related to a specific joint problem, structural damage, trauma, degeneration, or persistent symptoms that have not responded to more conservative treatment. If surgery is recommended, Dr. Tow will explain why, what the procedure is intended to address, and what to expect before, during, and after treatment.

Myofascial pain often comes from tight, overworked, or irritated muscles. In the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders, this can be related to clenching, grinding, stress, posture, bite changes, trauma, or repeated muscle strain. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether your pain is primarily muscle-related, joint-related, or caused by a combination of factors.

Dr. Tow specializes in the surgical and non-surgical management of TMJ pathologies and myofascial pain. His approach starts with understanding the source of your symptoms, then creating a treatment plan based on your anatomy, jaw function, muscle activity, imaging when needed, and long-term comfort goals.

I was referred to Dr. Tow by my dentist, and from the moment I stepped into his Beverly Hills office, I felt a sense of calm. The earthy, thoughtfully designed space melts away the usual dental anxiety - it feels more like a peaceful sanctuary than a medical practice. The entire visit was seamless, and the city views from the examination room were an added bonus.

Dr. Tow is the kind of doctor who makes you feel truly seen. He is warm, attentive, and genuinely conversational, with a rare ability to put you at ease without ever seeming rushed. He listened carefully to all of my questions and concerns, then took the time to walk me through every aspect of the procedure in clear, understandable terms. What impressed me most was his patience. I went back and forth on my decision countless times, overthinking every detail, and not once did he make me feel like a burden. He remained calm, supportive, and completely nonjudgmental, encouraging me to take all the time I needed. That level of respect and compassion is something you rarely encounter in healthcare today.

Dr. Tow is not only exceptionally skilled as an oral surgeon, but also someone you can fully trust. He combines top-tier expertise with genuine kindness in a way that transforms a stressful experience into a positive one. I cannot recommend him highly enough. If you’re looking for an oral surgeon who treats you like a person, not just a patient, Dr. Tow is the one.

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Sarah Wang

Dr Tow and staff were warm, caring, organized and conscientious.. I came in for a consult after TMJ arthrocentesis to discuss a possible TMJ joint replacement. Dr Tow reviewed my complex history and records, He asked about my personal TMJ experience and listened to my primary concerns. He examined my TMJ joint and related muscle and nerve conditions thoroughly. He explained imaging results and discussed pros and cons of treatment options. He provided resources, education and recommendations that left me with a renewed sense of hope and confidence in his expertise.

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Lisa Johnson

I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out and Dr. Tow was incredible! Not only did he do a great job, my favorite thing about his care was the follow up. He let me come in whenever I was worried about how I was recovering and always assured me I was healing in the right way. He really cares about his patients and made me feel so safe, which is so important when getting such a massive surgery. 10/10

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Vince Rossi

 I had a great experience with Dr. Tow and his entire team. From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly kind, supportive, and reassuring.

I underwent a surgical wisdom tooth extraction where the tooth was still in the gum, done with only local anesthetic, so I was understandably very anxious. Dr. Tow was calm, professional, and took excellent care of me throughout the procedure, which made a huge difference.

I unfortunately developed dry socket afterward and had to return a few days later, but once again I was very well looked after. Dr. Tow took the time to check everything thoroughly and provided treatments to help with the healing and discomfort.

I highly recommend Los Angeles Oral and Facial Surgery — truly five-star care from start to finish.

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Caoife Coleman

I had a wonderful experience with this oral surgery office. Although getting your wisdom teeth out isn’t exactly fun, the entire team made the process as smooth and comfortable as possible. Everyone was kind, professional, and reassuring from start to finish. The follow-up care was excellent, and I truly appreciated how responsive and supportive they were. I felt comfortable reaching out with questions and never felt like a bother. Highly recommend to anyone needing oral surgery!

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Kayla Wilson

This has to be the best place ever! I feel like I have known everyone there for years and they truly make you feel Comfortable and Dr Tow is very professional provided the BEST dental experience I ever had Tnx to doctor and his staff 🙏

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Helen Fayaz