Where Families in Green Lake Come to Smile
EMFACE in Green Lake, Seattle
Living with jaw pain, tension headaches, or a clicking jaw can wear you down. TMJ dysfunction, also called temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the joints and muscles that control how your jaw opens and closes, and it can make everyday activities like eating, speaking, and even sleeping uncomfortable.
At Green Lake Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Cherryl Ellison offers advanced TMJ treatment in the heart of Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood, serving patients from Wallingford, Phinney Ridge, Fremont, Roosevelt, Wedgwood, and across North Seattle. Whether your jaw discomfort shows up as tension, clicking, or difficulty chewing, our practice is a convenient, welcoming option for families in these North Seattle communities looking for care close to home.
What Is TMJ Dysfunction?
The temporomandibular joints sit on either side of your jaw, connecting your lower jaw to your skull. When these joints or the surrounding muscles are not functioning properly, the result is a range of symptoms that can vary from mildly annoying to significantly disruptive.
Common signs of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Headaches or migraines that originate near the temples
- Facial muscle tension or tightness
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ears
- Difficulty fully opening or closing your mouth
- Neck and shoulder tension that worsens with stress
TMJ disorders are more common than many people realize, and they are frequently underdiagnosed or treated with approaches that only partially address the root cause. Dr. Ellison takes a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to understanding what is driving your symptoms before recommending a treatment path.
Advanced TMJ Treatment with EMFACE Technology
Green Lake Cosmetic Dentistry now offers EMFACE, a cutting-edge, FDA-cleared technology approved for treating TMJ dysfunction.
EMFACE delivers simultaneous radiofrequency energy and high-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) to the face’s muscles and soft tissue. For TMJ patients, this means directly targeting the overworked, overstimulated facial muscles that contribute to jaw tension, pain, and dysfunction, without injections, without surgery, and without significant downtime.
What to expect with EMFACE for TMJ:
- Non-invasive treatment sessions that a trained assistant can typically perform
- Targeted stimulation of the facial muscles involved in jaw function
- A comfortable, in-office experience
- A treatment approach that goes beyond temporary symptom relief
EMFACE is a relatively new modality in the TMJ space, and Green Lake Cosmetic Dentistry is one of the first practices in the Seattle area to offer it. If you have tried other treatment approaches without lasting results, this may be worth exploring.
Why Choose a Dental Provider for TMJ Care?
Many patients don’t realize that a dentist is often the most qualified provider to evaluate and manage TMJ dysfunction. The condition directly involves the jaw joint, the bite, and the muscles that surround your teeth, areas that fall squarely within a dentist’s scope.
Dr. Cherryl Ellison combines clinical expertise with genuine curiosity in her approach to TMJ care. Rather than defaulting to a single protocol for every patient, she takes time to understand your full picture: how your bite, jaw alignment, and muscle activity may all contribute to your discomfort.
EMFACE For Facial Rejuvenation
Many patients are pleasantly surprised to learn that EMFACE offers a second benefit: toning the muscles of the forehead, eyes, and chin for a naturally refreshed appearance. For patients coming in for facial rejuvenation, this added benefit tends to show up gradually over the course of treatment.
For us, cosmetic dentistry is often the first step in helping you feel confident about how you look. Once you feel great about your smile, EMFACE gives you a way to build on that momentum by supporting firmer, more toned facial muscles without needles or downtime. It is a natural extension of the same goal that brought you in for your smile in the first place: looking and feeling like the best version of yourself.
Who Is a Good Candidate for TMJ Treatment?
You may benefit from an evaluation with Dr. Ellison if you:
- Have been experiencing jaw pain or tension for weeks or months
- Wake up with sore teeth, jaw soreness, or headaches
- Have been told you clench or grind your teeth
- Have tried night guards with limited relief
- Are looking for a more targeted, technology-forward approach to managing TMJ symptoms
A consultation with Dr. Ellison is the best starting point. She will review your symptoms, evaluate your jaw function, and discuss whether EMFACE or another approach makes sense for your situation.
Ready to Find Relief From TMJ Pain? Contact Green Lake Cosmetic Dentistry Today
Dr. Cherryl Ellison brings 7 years of experience to every TMJ consultation at Green Lake Cosmetic Dentistry, combining her Indiana University dental training with a genuine curiosity about what is really driving your jaw pain. She takes the time to look at your full picture, including bite alignment and muscle tension, before recommending EMFACE or any other treatment path, so you get a plan built around your specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all fix.
If jaw pain, tension headaches, or clicking and popping have become part of your daily routine, you do not have to keep living with it. Reach out to our Green Lake, Seattle practice to schedule a TMJ consultation with Dr. Ellison and find out whether EMFACE technology is the right next step for you.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Cherryl Ellison – Cosmetic Bonding in Green Lake
Dr. Cherryl Ellison provides cosmetic bonding in Green Lake with the same care and precision she brings to every smile enhancement. Known for her calm, approachable style and attention to detail, she takes the time to understand your goals and deliver results that feel natural and personalized. With over six years of experience, she’s helped countless patients feel more confident—often in just one visit.
Expertly Reviewed By
Dr. Cherryl Ellison is a general dentist specializing in family and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Ellison earned her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from Indiana University. With years of clinical experience and a passion for providing high-quality dental care, she ensures the information presented is accurate, current, and aligned with modern dental best practices.
