Dr. John Ferullo, DDS, treats TMJ disorders (TMD) at Your Downtown Dentist in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. After an in-office jaw evaluation, he may recommend non-surgical options alone or in combination: custom occlusal guards, therapeutic laser therapy, EMVITAL® laser treatment, and EMFACE® Functional TMJ, which is FDA-cleared to treat TMJ dysfunction and associated pain.
Do you wake up with a sore jaw? Get frequent headaches, facial tension or pain when you chew? Hear clicking when you open your mouth? These are common signs of a TMJ disorder, and you don’t have to accept them as normal.
Our team understands how frustrating and disruptive jaw pain can be. We combine traditional dental care with advanced, non-invasive technology, all in one familiar office on Central Avenue. Our goal is simple: help you feel better, move more comfortably, and enjoy everyday life again.
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the two hinge joints, one in front of each ear, that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Together with the surrounding muscles, they let you talk, chew, yawn and swallow.
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD), often simply called “TMJ,” is a group of conditions that cause pain or dysfunction in these joints and the muscles that move the jaw. TMD is common and is more often seen in women and adults between their 20s and 40s. Many cases are muscle-related and respond well to conservative, non-surgical care.
- Jaw pain, soreness or tenderness, especially when chewing
- Clicking, popping or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or a jaw that feels “stuck”
- Facial pain or muscle tension
- Frequent headaches, especially around the temples
- Earaches, ear fullness or pressure without an ear infection
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Morning jaw stiffness
- Neck and shoulder tension
If these symptoms sound familiar, an evaluation can show whether a TMJ disorder may be contributing, and which treatment is most likely to help.
TMJ disorders usually come from a combination of factors rather than a single cause. Common contributors include:
- Nighttime teeth grinding or daytime clenching
- Stress and muscle tension in the jaw, face and neck
- Jaw injury or trauma
- Arthritis in the jaw joint
- Bite problems or worn teeth and restorations
- Habits such as gum chewing, nail biting or resting your chin on your hand
- Posture that strains the neck and jaw, such as long hours at a desk
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for TMJ. Depending on your symptoms and evaluation, Dr. Ferullo may recommend one of the options below or a combination of them.
TMJ Treatments at a Glance
| Treatment | How It Works | Best For | Session / Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Occlusal Guard | Custom-fit appliance worn over the teeth, usually at night | Grinding, clenching, tooth wear | Worn at home / none |
| Therapeutic Laser Therapy | Light energy applied to targeted jaw muscles and joint areas | Muscle-related jaw soreness | [Confirm] / none |
| EMVITAL® | TriHIL™ laser technology delivers controlled therapeutic warmth | Jaw muscle tightness, stiffness, spasms | Under 30 min / none |
| EMFACE® Functional TMJ | Synchronized radiofrequency + HIFES® muscle stimulation | TMJ dysfunction and associated pain; limited jaw opening | About 20 min / none |
1. Custom Occlusal Guards (Night Guards)
Protect your teeth and reduce the effects of grinding. Clenching and grinding, especially during sleep, can contribute to jaw muscle soreness, headaches and excessive tooth wear. A custom occlusal guard fits comfortably over your teeth and absorbs the force of grinding and clenching.
Potential benefits include:
- Protecting teeth from grinding-related wear and fractures
- Reducing stress on teeth, crowns and other dental work
- Helping manage symptoms linked to nighttime clenching
- A comfortable fit made from impressions of your own bite
Unlike over-the-counter “boil-and-bite” mouthguards, a custom guard is professionally designed for your bite. A poorly fitting guard can sometimes make jaw symptoms worse.
Best for: Patients with nighttime grinding, clenching or related tooth wear.
Gentle, non-invasive relief for jaw muscles and joints. Therapeutic laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation) applies light energy to targeted areas around the jaw to help manage pain and support tissue comfort. Research on laser therapy for TMD has shown it can reduce pain for some patients, and it is often used alongside other treatments.
Depending on your condition and the laser used, treatment may help:
- Temporarily relieve muscle discomfort
- Reduce certain types of jaw soreness
- Relax tense muscles
- Improve comfort during everyday jaw movement
Best for: Patients who want a non-surgical option for muscle-related jaw pain.
3. EMVITAL® Laser Treatment
Advanced laser technology for jaw and muscle relief. EMVITAL uses TriHIL™ laser technology to deliver controlled therapeutic warmth to targeted tissues. This non-invasive treatment is designed to relieve minor muscle and joint pain, reduce stiffness and help tight jaw muscles relax.
How EMVITAL may help
- Temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain
- Reduced muscle stiffness and tension
- Relaxation of tight muscles
- Relief of muscle spasms
- Greater comfort during jaw movement
What to expect during EMVITAL treatment
Treatment is comfortable and requires no injections or surgery. Most patients describe a gentle, relaxing warmth. Sessions typically take less than 30 minutes, and you can usually return to normal activities right away.
Best for: Patients with jaw muscle tightness, soreness or related muscle and joint pain.
FDA-cleared, needle-free technology for TMJ dysfunction. EMFACE combines synchronized radiofrequency (RF) with high-intensity facial electrical stimulation (HIFES®). In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared its Functional TMJ application to treat TMJ dysfunction and associated pain, relieve symptoms of muscle spasm, support muscle re-education, increase local blood flow, and maintain or increase jaw (mandibular) range of motion.
How does EMFACE work for TMJ?
EMFACE uses two complementary technologies at the same time:
Benefits of EMFACE Functional TMJ
- Treats TMJ dysfunction and associated pain
- Helps relieve symptoms of muscle spasms
- Supports muscle re-education
- Increases local blood flow
- Helps maintain or increase jaw range of motion
- Non-invasive and needle-free
What to expect during EMFACE treatment
A session takes about 20 minutes. Specialized applicators deliver targeted energy while you relax. There are no needles, injections or surgery, and there is generally no downtime.
Best for: Patients with TMJ dysfunction who may benefit from targeted muscle stimulation and non-invasive symptom management.
Your first visit is focused on understanding what is driving your symptoms. A typical TMJ consultation includes:
If your evaluation suggests a condition outside the scope of dental care, we will refer you to an appropriate physician or specialist.
Effective TMJ care starts with understanding you as an individual. Dr. John Ferullo brings more than 30 years of dental experience and a commitment to adopting proven new treatment technologies.
Your Downtown Dentist is located in One Progress Plaza on Central Avenue in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, a short walk from Williams Park and the Mirror Lake area. We welcome patients from across the city, including Old Northeast, Historic Kenwood, Snell Isle, Crescent Lake and the Grand Central District, and from nearby Pinellas County communities such as Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Pinellas Park, Seminole and Tierra Verde.
Your Downtown Dentist
Most jaw pain is not an emergency. Contact us, or seek urgent medical care, if you have:
Call 911 right away if jaw pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating or pain spreading to the arm, which can be signs of a heart attack.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatment
How do I know if I have a TMJ disorder?
Can a dentist treat TMJ?
Can TMJ problems cause headaches?
Can TMJ go away on its own?
Is EMFACE FDA-cleared for TMJ?
What is the difference between EMFACE and EMVITAL?
Will I need an occlusal guard?
Are TMJ treatments painful?
How many TMJ treatments will I need?
Is there downtime after TMJ treatment?
Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?
You don’t have to accept daily jaw pain, tension or headaches as normal. Whether you have occasional soreness or ongoing TMJ symptoms, our team is here to help you explore your options.
Schedule a TMJ consultation with Dr. John Ferullo at Your Downtown Dentist in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
An Alternative to scary needlesand drills…
