Just Image

Center for Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine

UCSF established the Center for Orofacial Pain, one of the first two centers of its kind in the United States, in 1959. The center specializes in the diagnosis and management of pain related to the face, head, temporomandibular joints (TMJs), mouth, and teeth, as well as associated headaches, neck pain, and neuropathic pain, such as phantom tooth pain. The center also offers dental sleep medicine services, including oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Schedule an appointment
FAQ

Understsanding orofacial pain

You may not have heard the term “orofacial pain,” which simply means any pain that is felt in the mouth, jaws, and face. If you’re dealing with pain in these areas, it can help to see an experienced dental professional.

  • Orofacial pain (OFP) is a specialized field within dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of pain disorders affecting the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck. OFP-related disorders include, but are not limited to:

    • Temporomandibular muscle and joint (TMJ) disorders
    • Jaw movement disorders
    • Nerve and neurovascular pain disorder
    • Headaches
    • Sleep disorders

    Symptoms of OFP may include atypical pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, muscular incoordination, and abnormal sensations such as itching or tingling in the head and neck region. Orofacial pain specialists also address unexplained or unresolved tooth pain following procedures like root canals, extractions, or implants.

  • An orofacial pain specialist is a highly trained dental professional recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). This unique specialty is the only one sanctioned by the ADA for the precise diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain. After completing dental school, these specialists undergo an intensive two- to three-year training program. To become board-certified, they must pass both a comprehensive didactic assessment and an oral examination.

  • Dental sleep medicine involves the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of physicians, sleep medicine specialists, and surgeons. At our center, we focus on treating sleep breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using a variety of oral appliances. Our expertise in temporomandibular structures ensures that we provide comprehensive care that addresses airway, sleep, and jaw health.

Get Care

Services we offer

Our experienced faculty and highly trained residents provide exceptional care for people with a range of conditions, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, facial nerve pain, dental issues, headaches, injuries, and sleep breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Directions

Getting here

Our services are offered in UCSF's Medical Sciences Building, 513 Parnassus Ave., which is one long block east of the UCSF Dental Center clinic building.

513 Parnassus Avenue, Room S-738, San Francisco, CA 94143

Parking

Paid public parking is available at the Millberry Union Garage, with entrances at 500 Parnassus Ave. and on Irving Street just east of Third Avenue.

Limited paid public parking is also available behind the UCSF Dental Center building, accessed via 50 Kirkham Street. Pay at the self-serve kiosk after you park.

Transit

Muni bus lines 6 Haight-Parnassus and 43 Masonic stop at both 707 and 513 Parnassus Ave. The N-Judah light-rail line stops on Irving Street at the Millberry Union Garage; take the elevator up to Parnassus Avenue. 

UCSF operates a free shuttle that takes visitors, employees, and patients to its various campuses and other locations in San Francisco. For information, including shuttle maps and schedules, please visit the UCSF transportation website.

Open in maps
Sitting female dentist and male patient sit in front of laptop in office setting while dentist points to laptop screen with pen.
Billing

Payment and insurance information

At the UCSF Center for Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine, your health and wellbeing are our top priorities. Because insurance companies often base treatment decisions on cost rather than the best outcomes for patients, we have chosen not to work directly with medical or dental insurance providers.

For orofacial pain patients:
You will be charged the exam fee at the time of your visit. We can provide you with a superbill, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. If you would like to check your coverage in advance, we can provide the necessary billing codes. Many of our services are also eligible for HSA expense reimbursement.

For sleep apnea patients: 
We will submit an insurance claim on your behalf for oral appliances related to sleep apnea. To ensure a smooth process, please bring the following to your initial appointment:
 

  • A copy of your sleep study
  • A prescription for an oral appliance from your physician
  • Your insurance card
  • Your driver's license
Dental Center billing
Image
Our Team

Meet our providers

At the Center for Orofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine, an expert team of dental, medical, and physical therapy specialists works together to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care for pain and sleep disorders.

See all clinic providers
Contact Us

Send a message

Have a question? Our team is here to help. You can reach us from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 415-476-1316.

Contact