TMJ & Bite Therapy

Bring balance back to your bite and your body.

Tension in your jaw doesn’t stay in your jaw. It can radiate to your neck, head, and shoulders, and even affect your sleep. While TMJ dysfunction often shows up as grinding, popping, headaches, or facial fatigue, the cause is rarely one-dimensional. That’s why we offer comprehensive TMJ and bite therapy in New York.

At Smile House, we use a whole-body lens to examine your bite, airway, posture, and muscle patterns. We’ll identify which factors are contributing to pain and imbalance. You’ll find relief from discomfort while restoring balance and lasting function.

What TMJ Dysfunction Really Means

Your jaw is connected to how you breathe, how you rest, and how your body holds stress. TMJ dysfunction happens when the jaw joint or surrounding muscles fall out of balance. This is often due to posture, clenching, stress, or airway issues.

You may notice:

Tension in your face, jaw, neck, or shoulders
Headaches that start at your temples or radiate down
A bite that feels off or teeth that show uneven wear
Clicking, locking, or soreness when you open your mouth
Sleep that feels shallow or unrefreshing

At Smile House, our multi-specialty team will provide TMJ treatment that addresses your jaw health as part of a larger system. With our whole health approach, your entire well-being improves.

Who TMJ & Bite Therapy Is For

TMJ dysfunction doesn’t always announce itself clearly. Sometimes it shows up in ways that feel disconnected or hard to explain. You may need TMJ care if you have:

Chronic clenching or grinding, especially at night or during stress

Persistent jaw, neck, or facial pain, often without a clear dental cause

Worn teeth or broken dental work from a long-term bite imbalance

Chronic stress, poor sleep, or anxiety that feels tied to the body

What to Expect

TMJ treatment begins with understanding your bite, your body, and your experience. Through the guidance of our in-house TMJ and airway expert, we offer:

Comprehensive diagnostics using 3-D jaw and bite imaging, airway analysis, and muscle evaluation

Collaboration between specialists in restorative care, facial balance, airway health, and bite alignment

Relief that reaches beyond the jaw, improving posture, sleep, and the way your nervous system responds to stress

Our Approach to TMJ & Bite Therapies

Using Mouth Mapping® as our diagnostic foundation, we identify areas out of balance related to your joint movement, bite function, and airway alignment. Then, we’ll create a care plan that helps you feel aligned again, inside and out.

Tension Release Massage

Our integrative approach blends buccal facial massage with myofunctional techniques to release stored tension and retrain muscle function.

Custom-Fit Night Guards

These slim, customizable appliances will protect your teeth, reduce nighttime clenching, and guide your jaw into a healthier resting position.

Therapeutic Botox for TMJ

Used intentionally and conservatively, Botox can relax tense muscles, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation, all under the care of our experienced providers.

Breath & Airway Evaluation

We screen for airway restriction, sleep issues, and tongue posture habits that may be amplifying stress and dysfunction in the jaw.

Book Now

Common FAQs About TMJ & Bite Therapy

Is TMJ therapy painful?

Not at all. At Smile House, TMJ therapy is gentle, supportive, and responsive to your needs. Whether we're using massage, oral appliances, or Botox therapy, your comfort is our top priority. We take the time to explain every step, tailor the experience to your sensitivity level, and check in regularly throughout your care.

Will I need surgery or braces?

In most cases, no. Our goal is to treat TMJ dysfunction conservatively and non-invasively. We start by identifying the root cause — often related to muscle tension or airway restrictions — and address it with therapies like myofunctional massage, oral appliances, and guided relaxation techniques.

Is Botox safe for TMJ?

Yes, when used correctly and by trained professionals, Botox is a safe, effective tool for TMJ relief. At Smile House, we use therapeutic (not cosmetic) Botox to target overactive jaw muscles that contribute to clenching, grinding, and chronic tension. This treatment can reduce inflammation, ease facial pain, and relieve tension headaches.

Can TMJ cause other health issues?

Absolutely. TMJ dysfunction can ripple throughout your body. Poor jaw alignment can contribute to chronic headaches, neck and shoulder tension, disrupted sleep, and even digestive issues due to impaired chewing. It can also strain the nervous system, leaving you feeling fatigued, irritable, or overwhelmed.

Feeling better about your health starts here

TMJ pain can leave you feeling disconnected from your body. Our integrative, diagnostic-first approach to TMJ and bite therapy in New York will restore the healthy rhythm of your bite, your breath, and your body.

Book an Appointment