Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry, led by Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr, DDS, provides TMJ treatment Beverly Hills CA patients can consider after an evaluation of jaw symptoms, muscle function, dental wear, and other possible sources of discomfort.
Beverly Hills, CA, September 10, 2026. TMJ treatment Beverly Hills CA patients seek often begins with symptoms that seem unrelated. One person may notice jaw pain while chewing. Another may wake with headaches or tight facial muscles. Someone else may first learn there is a problem when a dentist notices unusual wear on the teeth. Because these symptoms can have different causes, understanding what is producing them matters before deciding how to treat them.
Temporomandibular disorders, commonly called TMDs, are not a single condition. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research identifies more than 30 conditions that can cause pain or dysfunction involving the jaw joints and the muscles controlling jaw movement. They broadly include disorders involving the joints, disorders involving the chewing muscles, and headaches associated with TMD.
NIDCR estimates that TMD affects about 5 percent of adults in the United States, although prevalence varies depending on how the condition is defined and measured. The agency also notes that there is no single widely accepted test for diagnosing TMD. Pain in the jaw, mouth, or face may or may not be related to a temporomandibular disorder, which is why other possible causes sometimes need to be ruled out.
“Jaw pain does not automatically tell us what is causing the problem,” said Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr, DDS of Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry. “We need to understand where the discomfort is coming from, when it happens, how the jaw moves, and whether there are signs of clenching, grinding, or tooth damage. Treatment makes more sense when we first understand what we are treating.”
Clenching and grinding add another layer to that evaluation. NIDCR describes bruxism as grinding, clenching, or gnashing the teeth while awake or asleep. Severe bruxism can contribute to jaw soreness, headaches, tooth sensitivity, and flattened, chipped, or cracked teeth. When repeated forces leave patients with worn or damaged teeth, restoring the teeth may become part of the discussion, but identifying the forces contributing to the damage remains important.
Stress can also be associated with clenching and bruxism, but that does not mean every person with stress or dental anxiety has a temporomandibular disorder. Symptoms and contributing factors need to be considered individually rather than assuming one explanation fits every patient.
Dr. Hanam-Jahr holds California dental license number 46068 and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Louisiana State University in 1995. She purchased her Beverly Hills practice in 2001 and has pursued postgraduate education in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Her additional training includes certification in Botox and dermal fillers for bruxism and orofacial pain/TMJ treatment through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.
A TMJ evaluation may consider:
- Where jaw or facial pain occurs and what makes it better or worse
- Whether opening, chewing, or yawning causes pain or limited movement
- Tenderness or fatigue in the muscles used for chewing
- Evidence of clenching, grinding, tooth wear, cracks, or damaged restorations
- Whether symptoms suggest that another dental or medical condition should be considered
Not every clicking jaw requires treatment. NIDCR notes that painless clicking or popping of the temporomandibular joints is common and generally does not require treatment. Many TMD symptoms also improve without extensive intervention, which is one reason federal guidance recommends beginning with conservative approaches and being cautious about treatments that permanently alter the teeth, bite, or jaw joints.
Treatment therefore depends on what an evaluation finds rather than the presence of a single symptom. Conservative approaches may include temporary changes in diet, reducing clenching habits, exercises or physical therapy, medication when appropriate, and oral appliances in selected cases. More involved treatment should be considered according to the diagnosis, severity, medical history, and response to conservative care.
Recommendations vary based on symptoms, examination findings, medical and dental history, diagnostic imaging when indicated, and individual risk factors. Headaches, facial pain, ear symptoms, or jaw discomfort can have causes unrelated to TMD, and patients with unexplained or persistent symptoms may require evaluation by other healthcare professionals.
Patients can learn more about TMJ treatment in Beverly Hills.
Can TMJ problems cause headaches?
Some TMDs can be associated with headaches, but headaches have many possible causes. NIDCR recognizes headaches associated with TMD as one category of temporomandibular disorders. An evaluation can help determine whether jaw muscles or joints appear to be contributing to the symptoms.
Is jaw clicking always a sign of TMJ disorder?
No. Clicking or popping without pain is common and generally does not require treatment. Clicking accompanied by pain, locking, stiffness, or difficulty moving the jaw deserves closer evaluation.
Can grinding your teeth cause jaw pain?
Bruxism can contribute to jaw muscle soreness or fatigue and may also be associated with headaches and damaged teeth. Some people grind or clench without realizing it, particularly while sleeping.
Do worn teeth mean someone has TMJ disorder?
Not necessarily. Tooth wear can have several causes. Grinding and clenching are possible contributors, but worn teeth alone do not establish a TMD diagnosis.
How is a TMJ problem diagnosed?
There is no single standard test that diagnoses every TMD. A dentist or physician may review the patient’s symptoms and medical history, examine the jaw, face, head, and neck, and use imaging when appropriate. Other causes of facial or jaw pain may also need to be ruled out.
About Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry is a general, cosmetic, and restorative dental practice in Beverly Hills, California, founded by Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr, DDS in 2001. The practice provides preventive, cosmetic, restorative, emergency, sedation, and implant dentistry for patients with a range of oral health needs. Its approach emphasizes patient education, individualized treatment planning, and preserving oral health and function while considering each patient’s personal goals. Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry is located at 435 N Bedford Dr #414, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
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Press desk: Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry
Address: 435 N Bedford Dr #414 Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 276-2088
