About Orofacial Pain Board Certification

Trusted Care from a Board-Certified Specialist in Orofacial Pain and TMJ Disorders. Not Just a Dentist— A Recognized Expert in Facial Pain Medicine

Orofacial Pain is an officially recognized dental specialty by the American Dental Association (ADA), dedicated to diagnosing and managing conditions involving chronic pain in the face, jaw, head, neck, and associated structures—including TMJ disorders, migraines, neuralgias, burning mouth syndrome, myofascial pain, and sleep-related breathing disorders.

At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center, your care is led by Dr. Hemamalini Chandrashekhar—one of the few residency-trained and Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialists practicing in Washington State and across the U.S.

What Does Board Certification Mean?

To become Board Certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP), a dentist must:

Complete advanced, 2-year post-doctoral education in Orofacial Pain
Pass a rigorous written examination testing knowledge in pain science, head and neck anatomy, neurology, sleep, pharmacology, and more
Successfully undergo an in-depth oral examination by a panel of peers
Renew certification every 5 years, demonstrating ongoing expertise and continuing education

This ensures a provider is equipped to deliver accurate diagnosis, advanced treatments, and coordinated care for even the most challenging cases.

Why See a Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist?

Many patients with chronic facial or jaw pain are misdiagnosed—or bounce between providers without clear answers. Seeing a Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist helps ensure:

✔️ A precise diagnosis grounded in both medical and dental expertise

✔️ A non-surgical, conservative approach to pain relief and functional improvement

✔️ Coordination with your medical team when needed (neurologists, ENTs, sleep physicians, physical therapists)

✔️ An understanding of complex, overlapping pain disorders often missed in general practice

Whether you’ve been told you have “TMJ,” suffer from persistent migraines, experience nerve pain, or live with sleep-disordered breathing, Dr. Chandrashekhar offers the advanced evaluation and care you need—without over-reliance on medications or unnecessary procedures.

Why It Matters to You as a Patient?

Chronic facial, jaw, and head pain often go undiagnosed or are treated ineffectively. A Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist offers:

Accurate diagnosis of simple and complex pain conditions
Multidisciplinary care, including collaboration with neurologists, ENTs, sleep physicians, and physical therapists
Minimally invasive, non-surgical solutions focused on long-term relief
Evidence-based treatment, not trial-and-error guesswork
Expertise in Dental Sleep Medicine for managing sleep apnea and nighttime bruxism

At our Seattle-based practice, we believe patients deserve clarity, compassion, and specialized care—especially when facing conditions that don’t have easy answers.

Meet Dr. Hemamalini Chandrashekhar

Dr. Chandrashekhar is a Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist, an AADSM Qualified Dentist in Dental Sleep Medicine, and an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. With over 15 years of clinical, academic, and research experience—including training at UCLA, Rutgers, BU, Nair Hospital (Mumbai) and teaching OMFS at Government Dental College & Hospital (Mumbai), she brings an integrated, compassionate approach to every case.