TMJ/TMD Treatment

Erik Ligans, DDS

Cosmetic Dentist in Los Angeles, CA

Up to 10 million Americans experience temporomandibular joint (TMJ/TMD) disorders, a group of conditions characterized by jaw pain and headaches. If you have symptoms of TMJ/TMD, it’s vital to seek treatment. Dr. E (Erik Ligans, DDS), and the team at Playa District Dental, provide a wide range of TMJ/TMD treatments, including Botox®, full mouth reconstruction, and nightguard appliances. To make an appointment at the practice in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, call the office or book online today.

If you are searching for TMJ treatment in Los Angeles, Playa District Dental offers a comprehensive, in-office approach — from digital X-rays and jaw mobility assessment to Botox injections, custom nightguards, and full mouth reconstruction. Dr. Ligans is Botox TMJ Certified, making him one of a select group of Los Angeles dentists qualified to administer therapeutic Botox for jaw pain relief. Patients from Playa Vista, Culver City, Marina del Rey, and across West LA choose our Westchester practice for TMJ Botox Treatment Los Angeles.

Call to Book Your Invisalign Consultation:

TMJ Botox Treatment Los Angeles — Playa District Dental

Playa District Dental proudly provides TMJ/TMD treatment in Los Angeles, welcoming patients from Westchester, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Playa del Rey, Fox Hills, Ladera Heights, El Segundo, and surrounding West LA communities.

Patients from Playa Vista consistently choose us for TMJ treatment near Playa Vista thanks to Dr. Ligans’ Botox TMJ Certification, advanced in-office diagnostic technology, and a full spectrum of treatment options ranging from conservative nightguard therapy to comprehensive full mouth reconstruction.

TMJ Botox Treatment Los Angeles

TMJ / TMD Treatment Q&A

What is TMJ/TMD treatment?

TMJ/TMD treatment is a group of minimally invasive procedures that relieve the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders. Your temporomandibular joints are on either side of your face, located below your ears. They act like hinges, allowing you to bite, chew, and speak. If your temporomandibular joints become inflamed due to wear-and-tear or an underlying medical issue, it can affect your quality of life. TMJ/TMD treatment provides a safe and effective way to reduce pain and improve your jaw’s mobility.

What are the benefits of TMJ/TMD treatment?

Left untreated, TMJ/TMD disorders tend to worsen over time — leading to increased jaw pain, accelerated tooth wear, disrupted sleep, and declining quality of life. Effective treatment at Playa District Dental delivers measurable relief:

When should I consider TMJ/TMD treatment?

If you experience symptoms such as jaw pain or facial soreness, frequent headaches or earaches, difficulty opening your mouth fully, pain while biting or chewing, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), facial swelling, or tooth pain or sensitivity without an obvious dental cause, it’s important to make an appointment with Dr. E and the team at Playa District Dental. As TMJ/TMD worsens, you may also notice a popping or clicking sensation when opening your mouth to bite, chew, or speak. Seeking early evaluation can lead to faster relief and help prevent the need for more complex treatment in the future.

What happens during a TMJ/TMD consultation?

At Playa District Dental, Dr. E. and the team perform TMJ/TMD consultations on-site. Your provider reviews your dental records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, if they’re worse when you eat chewy foods, and if you’ve tried at-home treatment like ice or over-the-counter pain medication. Next, your Playa District Dental provider conducts an oral exam. They press on your jaw to pinpoint the source of your pain and look at your jaw and neck for bruising, redness, or swelling. Your provider also tests your jaw’s range of motion and orders X-rays to get a closer look at your TMJ/TMD joints.

Types of Wisdom Teeth Extractions at Playa District Dental

At Playa District Dental, Dr. E. and the team offer several types of TMJ/TMD treatment, matched to the severity and underlying cause of each patient’s condition. Here is what each involves:

01

Botox® for TMJ/TMD

Botox is an injectable solution containing a safe, precisely dosed form of botulinum toxin. When administered to the muscles surrounding your TMJ/TMD joints, Botox causes those muscles to relax — relieving pain, inflammation, and tension for several months per treatment session. Dr. Ligans is Botox TMJ Certified, ensuring therapeutic injections are placed with accuracy and expertise for maximum relief with minimal discomfort. This is one of the most in-demand TMJ treatments in Los Angeles for patients seeking a non-surgical, fast-acting solution.

02

Nightguard Appliance

If you experience TMJ/TMD symptoms due to teeth grinding (bruxism), your provider might recommend a custom nightguard. A nightguard is an oral appliance that fits snugly over your bottom teeth. It relieves tension on your jaw, prevents damage to your teeth, and helps you get a better night’s sleep. Unlike over-the-counter guards, Dr. Ligans fabricates your nightguard from a precise digital impression of your bite — ensuring a comfortable, effective fit from the very first night.
03

Full Mouth Reconstruction

If you experience chronic TMJ/TMD due to oral trauma or a structural abnormality, like a misaligned jaw, Dr. E. and the team might recommend full mouth reconstruction. Full mouth reconstruction uses oral surgery or other treatments, like orthodontics, to improve the alignment of your teeth and jaw. This comprehensive approach is reserved for patients whose TMJ/TMD stems from significant bite imbalance, tooth loss, or long-standing structural issues that cannot be resolved with conservative therapy alone.

Cost of TMJ/TMD Treatment in Los Angeles

The cost of TMJ/TMD treatment in Los Angeles varies depending on the type of therapy recommended. Botox TMJ injections typically range from $400 to $800 per treatment session and are repeated every three to six months as needed. Custom nightguards generally range from $300 to $700. Full mouth reconstruction is priced individually based on the scope of treatment and is discussed in detail at your consultation. Playa District Dental accepts most PPO insurance plans, and our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins. Flexible payment options are available. Dr. Ligans provides a complete, transparent cost estimate before any treatment proceeds.

TMJ/TMD Treatment in Los Angeles

Why Choose Playa District Dental for TMJ/TMD Treatment in Los Angeles

Choosing a Botox TMJ Certified dentist in Los Angeles who understands both the dental and neuromuscular factors behind TMJ/TMD disorders makes a meaningful difference in your outcome. Patients at Playa District Dental benefit from:

About Dr. Erik Ligans, DDS — Your TMJ/TMD Treatment Provider

Education-icon

Education

USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry

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Advanced Training

Spear Education — Advanced Cosmetic Courses

Technology-icon

Technology

Digital X-Rays  •  Digital Intraoral Scanner

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Certifications

Botox TMJ Certified  •  Philips Zoom Whitening

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Patient Rating

4.95 Stars  •  700+ Verified Google Reviews

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CA License

California Dental Board — Licensed DDS

What Our Patients Are Saying

Playa Vista Patient
Playa Vista Patient
I was nervous about starting Invisalign as an adult, but Dr. E made the whole process so easy. He walked me through every step, the iTero scan was painless, and I could actually see what my smile would look like before we even started. I tell everyone in Playa Vista to come here.
Playa Vista Patient
Playa Vista Patient
I was nervous about starting Invisalign as an adult, but Dr. E made the whole process so easy. He walked me through every step, the iTero scan was painless, and I could actually see what my smile would look like before we even started. I tell everyone in Playa Vista to come here.
Playa Vista Patient
Playa Vista Patient
I was nervous about starting Invisalign as an adult, but Dr. E made the whole process so easy. He walked me through every step, the iTero scan was painless, and I could actually see what my smile would look like before we even started. I tell everyone in Playa Vista to come here.

TMJ Botox vs. Nightguard — Which Is Right for You?

Both Botox and nightguard therapy are effective, non-surgical solutions for TMJ/TMD — but they target the condition differently. A custom nightguard creates a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing the grinding and clenching forces that stress the jaw joint during sleep. Botox, on the other hand, directly relaxes the overactive jaw muscles responsible for that clenching — providing relief around the clock, not just overnight. For patients whose TMJ/TMD symptoms are driven primarily by daytime jaw tension, stress-related clenching, or chronic headaches, Botox often delivers faster and broader relief. For patients whose main concern is nighttime bruxism and tooth wear, a nightguard may be the ideal first step. Many patients benefit from a combination of both approaches. During your consultation, Dr. Ligans evaluates your symptoms, jaw function, and dental history to recommend the treatment plan — or combination — that addresses the root cause of your discomfort rather than just the symptoms.

Additional Invisalign FAQs - Los Angeles

Therapeutic Botox for TMJ/TMD in Los Angeles typically ranges from $400 to $800 per session. At Playa District Dental in Westchester, Dr. Ligans provides a personalized cost breakdown during your consultation, including a review of your PPO insurance benefits and available payment options. Call (310) 777-1373 to schedule your TMJ consultation.

Dr. Erik Ligans at Playa District Dental in Westchester, Los Angeles, is a Botox TMJ Certified provider serving patients from Playa Vista, Culver City, Marina del Rey, and across West LA. With a USC Dental School background and advanced training through Spear Education, Dr. Ligans provides a full range of TMJ/TMD treatments including Botox, custom nightguards, and full mouth reconstruction. Located at 6801 Park Terrace Drive, #330, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Call (310) 777-1373.

Therapeutic Botox injections for TMJ/TMD typically provide relief for three to six months per treatment session. Most patients return for follow-up injections as needed to maintain consistent jaw muscle relaxation and pain relief. Over time, some patients find that the frequency of treatment needed decreases as the jaw muscles retrain to a more relaxed resting position.

A Botox TMJ Certified dentist like Dr. Ligans is well-qualified to diagnose and treat the majority of TMJ/TMD cases — including those requiring Botox injections, custom nightguards, or dental reconstruction. Dentists are uniquely positioned to assess both the bite and jaw joint, giving them a comprehensive view of the factors contributing to your symptoms. In complex cases requiring oral surgery, Dr. Ligans will refer you to the appropriate specialist and coordinate your care.

Schedule a consultation at Playa District Dental in Westchester. Dr. Ligans will evaluate your jaw, review your symptoms, take digital X-rays, and recommend the right treatment plan for your specific case. Call (310) 777-1373 or book online to get started.

Areas We Serve in Los Angeles

Playa District Dental offers  wisdom teeth extractions to patients in:

We offer Invisalign services in Westchester, Los Angeles CA with clear aligners for comfortable teeth straightening.

We offer Invisalign services in Playa Vista, Los Angeles CA with clear aligners for comfortable teeth straightening.

We offer Invisalign services in Marina del Rey, Los Angeles CA with clear aligners for comfortable teeth straightening.

We offer Invisalign services in Culver City, Los Angeles CA with clear aligners for comfortable teeth straightening.

We offer Invisalign services in Playa del Rey, Los Angeles CA with clear aligners for comfortable teeth straightening.

We offer Invisalign services in Greater Los Angeles CA with clear aligners for comfortable teeth straightening.

Our Westchester office is located just 1 mile from LAX and minutes from the 405 and 90 freeways, making us easily accessible for patients across West LA.

Schedule Your TMJ/TMD Consultation in Los Angeles

Jaw pain, headaches, and teeth grinding do not have to be part of your daily life. Dr. Ligans and our team at Playa District Dental are ready to evaluate your TMJ/TMD symptoms and build a treatment plan that delivers lasting relief.