If you’re like me (one of the 12 million Americans suffering from TMJ), you know how frustrating it can be to deal with the symptoms. Jaw pain, tension, headaches? Or maybe your jaw actually clicks or pops every time you open wide? Ouch. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are twice as common in women than in men, especially in women between 35 and 44 years old. Though some people find relief through massage, acupuncture, neurotoxin injections into the masseter muscle (this is not yet FDA-approved) and other treatments, there’s now a new option to consider, and no needles are required. Now, one of our favorite facial rejuvenation treatments, EMFACE, is FDA-cleared for the treatment of TMJ.
What is EMFACE?
A NewBeauty Award–winning treatment beloved by countless celebs, EMFACE uses both muscle stimulation HIFES (High-Intensity Facial Electromagnetic Stimulation) and radio frequency to tighten and lift the face nonsurgically. Targeting mild skin laxity and volume loss, the treatment helps restores a more youthful facial contour.
How does EMFACE help with TMJ?
New York prosthodontist Jonathan B. Levine, DMD took an interest in EMFACE after hearing dermatologists and plastic surgeons reporting anecdotal improvements in facial tone. “I saw an opportunity: Since TMJ disorders often involve dysfunction or overactivity of facial muscles, the device’s technology looked promising. I began incorporating EMFACE under its new TMJ protocol early in 2025 once the company provided me with their prototype protocol.”
Dr. Levine says the learning curve was “surprisingly smooth” and he now uses the treatment regularly for his patients with muscle spasms, hyperactivity or related joint discomfort. “EMFACE acts on the masticatory muscles and surrounding tissues simultaneously,” he explains. “The EMFACE Functional TMJ protocol uses ultra-low frequency HIFES technology to gently stimulate the mandibular branch (V3) of the trigeminal nerve, which innervates the masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles, helping reduce overactivity and restore neuromuscular coordination. At the same time, synchronized radio frequency provides therapeutic heating that enhances blood flow and further relaxes muscles. Working together, these modalities create a synergistic effect that relieves pain and supports more natural mandibular function. In effect, EMFACE decreases muscle overactivity, spasm and tension, while improving jaw range of motion.”
According to BTL (EMFACE’s parent company), relief can be felt immediately after just one 20-minute session, and patients typically require a series of four sessions. “Patients often report noticeable improvement after the first session, leading to high satisfaction and strong compliance,” says Dr. Levine. “EMFACE Functional TMJ is especially suited for patients looking for a noninvasive option instead of splints, injections or medication. Contraindications include patients with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices, metal implants in the treatment area, active infections or pregnancy.”
