About the Practice
The Specialist Behind the Diagnosis.
SoCal TMJ and Headache is a dedicated orofacial pain practice in Los Angeles, built around a single principle: the diagnosis must come before the treatment. Many patients arrive with long histories and prior treatments; that history is reviewed in full and helps shape the diagnosis.
This practice exists because that cycle should not be the cost of finding the right answer. Every patient receives a comprehensive diagnostic workup using internationally validated classification systems before any treatment plan is written.
Dr. Sang H. Chung, DMD
Board Qualified Orofacial Pain Specialist
Dr. Chung completed advanced training in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine at the University of Southern California, one of the nation's leading programs for the diagnosis and management of complex orofacial pain conditions. This training encompasses temporomandibular disorders, neuropathic facial pain, neurovascular headache with orofacial involvement, and the full spectrum of oral medicine conditions.
The practice is structured around diagnostic primacy — identifying the root cause before initiating any treatment. Chronic orofacial pain often involves several structures and can change over time, so each evaluation classifies the pain as it is now. The classification systems used here (DC/TMD, ICOP) are the same standards applied in published research and academic referral centers.
Credentials & Training
- Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Certification — University of Southern California
- Board Qualified Orofacial Pain Specialist — American Board of Orofacial Pain
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Orofacial Pain
American Board of Orofacial Pain
American Dental Association
California Dental Association
Practice Philosophy
Diagnostic Primacy. No Exceptions.
What This Means for You
- You will not begin treatment until a specific diagnosis has been established.
- Every diagnosis is mapped to a targeted treatment pathway — not a generic protocol.
- If your condition falls outside our scope, you will be told directly and referred to the appropriate specialist.
- All prior imaging and treatment records are reviewed as part of the diagnostic workup.
Classification Systems Used
- DC/TMD — Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (Schiffman et al.)
- ICOP — International Classification of Orofacial Pain, 2nd Edition
- ICHD-3 — International Classification of Headache Disorders
- Quantitative Sensory Testing for neuropathic pain classification
Ready to Get an Answer?
If your jaw, face, or head pain is ongoing or has changed, this practice is built for you.