Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic headaches are usually not a condition on their own. Instead, they are a symptom of an undiagnosed underlying condition. In many cases, this is a sleep-related breathing disorder or problems with the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures. We excel at determining the underlying condition and addressing it to deliver relief.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Conditions that negatively impact it are called TMD. We choose to use TMJ in our name because people are more familiar with the term. As for sleep therapy, it is another service we offer, and since the two are often related, it makes sense to treat both. And for the San Fernando Valley portion, that is the area where we are located within Los Angeles County.

You cannot diagnose yourself with this condition, but signs you might suffer from it include: Headaches – recurring or chronic Earache or ear symptoms of stuffiness or ringing Facial Pain or Jaw Pain Neck pain or stiffness Jaw joint sounds – clicking, popping or grating noises Limited ability to open or close mouth Jaw locking (open or closed) Sensitive, loose or worn down teeth Difficulty swallowing Difficulty sleeping If you notice these symptoms in your daily life, frequently take pain medications, or use sleep medications nightly, you need to be evaluated for TMD.

We utilize orthotics, or orthopedic appliances, that are specifically designed for each patient and made using only peer-reviewed bite techniques. We only rely on them for 12 weeks or less to decompress the jaw joint as it is rehabilitated. We only use FDA-approved appliances and make sure they are both functional and comfortable for all patients.

To treat abnormalities and successfully heal the jaw joints, stability is required. This support and protection are needed both day and night. Since we function differently when awake than when sleeping, different appliances are needed. You are unaware of the force the jaw can do while sleeping as it can be 5 times greater than those waking hours.

Eating is a perfectly natural function, but it is stressful for the jaw joint when it is already damaged. Just like you would not remove a knee brace when walking, you should keep your appliance in when engaging in what is easily the most stressful activity for the jaw joint.

If you are evaluated and it really is just snoring, we are happy to give you an appliance strictly for that. However, you cannot know snoring isn’t a sleep apnea symptom without a proper evaluation. Mistaking OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) for snoring can be life-threatening.

Nightguards are meant to stop you from grinding down your teeth while sleeping. A sleep appliance opens the airway to help you breath throughout the night.

Yes, oral appliance therapy is an approved form of OSA treatment, assuming that the condition is mild to moderate in nature. For severe cases, appliances are used in combination with CPAP.

Anyone of any age can snore, but sometimes it is a sign of sleep apnea. 70 percent of children who snore also have OSA. If your little one is snoring, they should be evaluated.

No, non-surgical rehabilitation is the standard form of treatment—not surgery. We only resort to surgery when there are no other alternatives.

Night terrors and mood swings are often caused by a lack of quality sleep. And this itself is often caused by things like sleep apnea. We are able to address the size of the airway in children to eliminate sleep apnea for life.

Our doctor is a dental physician. Farshid Ariz DMD is 3x Board Certified in Dental Sleep Medicine covering craniofacial pain, sleep medicine, and dental sleep medicine. It is vital that any doctor offering these services has undergone specialized training

We are a private pay office. However, we do offer assistance in getting reimbursed by your insurance company. We also offer financing (Wells Fargo Financial, Lending Club, Care Credit) that goes off your credit.

If your dental plan has benefits for evaluating or treating TMJ conditions, we will provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. However, most dental plans only cover dental treatments, and TMJ and Sleep conditions are medical in nature. We also offer financing (Wells Fargo Financial, Lending Club, Care Credit) that goes off your credit.