Jaw pain or muscle soreness
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
JAW PAIN & BITE EVALUATION · BURBANK, CA
Jaw soreness, clicking, clenching, headaches and worn teeth can have several causes. A TMJ/TMD evaluation looks at the jaw joints, muscles, bite and grinding patterns before deciding whether an appliance, home-care plan or referral is appropriate.

START WITH WHAT YOU ARE NOTICING
You do not need to know the diagnosis before you call. These are reasons to arrange an evaluation so the underlying cause and the most appropriate next step can be discussed.
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
The examination helps determine whether this concern belongs to this treatment or needs a different dental or medical approach.
A CLOSER LOOK
TMJ is the name of the jaw joint; TMD describes disorders involving the joint, chewing muscles and related structures. Symptoms can overlap with tooth problems, headaches, muscle tension, grinding and other medical conditions, so a night guard should not be treated as an automatic answer to every sore jaw.
At Magnolia Dentistry in Burbank, Dr. Liyan Massaband evaluates the pattern of symptoms, jaw movement, tooth wear, clenching or grinding habits and the bite. Depending on the findings, care may include bite protection, a custom appliance, home-care guidance or referral when the joint problem needs another clinician.


TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS
A useful treatment page should explain not only what can be done, but why one option may make more sense than another for a particular situation.
A properly fitted guard may help protect teeth and restorations from nighttime grinding or clenching. Whether it helps jaw symptoms depends on the diagnosis, so the appliance should be selected after evaluating the bite and pattern of discomfort.
A cracked tooth, infected tooth or bite problem can sometimes feel like jaw discomfort. Dental examination helps rule out tooth-related causes before a TMJ-focused plan is chosen.
Emergency dentist in BurbankPersistent locking, significant limitation of movement, trauma or symptoms that do not fit a routine dental appliance plan may need imaging or assessment by another dental or medical professional. Referral is part of responsible treatment planning when appropriate.
NEED A CLEAR STARTING POINT?
We can help you choose the right type of appointment without expecting you to diagnose the problem yourself.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The steps below describe the purpose of the visit. Your exact treatment sequence is based on examination findings and how your symptoms respond.
Discuss when pain occurs, jaw noises, headaches, grinding, sleep habits and previous dental treatment.
Review joint movement, muscle tenderness, tooth wear and dental causes that may contribute to discomfort.
Discuss protection, home-care measures, an appliance when appropriate, follow-up or referral based on the findings.
AFTERCARE & LONG-TERM PLANNING
Follow the appliance or home-care instructions provided for your individual findings. Do not increase appliance wear or make bite changes on your own because symptoms can have different causes.
Contact the practice if pain is worsening, the jaw begins locking, mouth opening becomes significantly limited, or new tooth pain develops.

COMMON QUESTIONS
These answers are general information. A clinical examination determines what applies to your situation.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular jaw joint. TMD is a broader term for disorders involving the joint, muscles and related structures.
Grinding and clenching can contribute to muscle soreness, tooth wear and jaw discomfort in some patients. An examination helps determine whether they are part of your symptoms.
Not every TMJ/TMD problem is caused by grinding, so a night guard is not the right answer for every patient. It can be useful for selected cases after evaluation.
Schedule an evaluation when discomfort persists, interferes with eating or sleep, is accompanied by locking or limited movement, or is associated with repeated clenching, headaches or tooth wear.
Yes. Magnolia Dentistry evaluates TMJ/TMD symptoms and discusses appropriate dental care, appliances or referral based on individual findings.
RELATED DENTAL CARE IN BURBANK


Dr. Massaband provides general, cosmetic, and implant dental care at Magnolia Dentistry in Burbank. Her dental and public health training informs an approach that considers your oral health alongside your overall well-being.
Her training includes Physiological Sciences at the University of Arizona, a Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University.
A FOUNDATION IN DENTISTRY & PUBLIC HEALTH
DMD · MPH
California dentist · General, cosmetic & implant care
BOOK WITH MAGNOLIA DENTISTRY
For routine dental visits and consultations, use Magnolia Dentistry’s secure Modento booking page to view available appointment options. No website form is required.
Continue to Modento to view current online booking availability for Magnolia Dentistry.
Your appointment request stays in the practice’s booking system instead of being submitted through a separate website form.
Call the office rather than relying on online booking. Dr. Massaband is available 24/7 on call for dental emergencies.
ONLINE APPOINTMENTS
Continue to the Magnolia Dentistry booking page to choose an available appointment time.
Book appointment with Modento Prefer to call? (818) 846-9041Regular office hours: daily, 8 AM–6 PM. For urgent dental concerns, call the practice directly.
SPEAK WITH MAGNOLIA DENTISTRY
We are open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. For dental emergencies outside regular hours, call us anytime—Dr. Massaband is available 24/7 on call for emergency visits.