Two Powerful Treatments.
One Goal — Less Pain.
At Elite Smiles, Dr. Ravin offers two targeted, non-surgical therapies that go beyond managing symptoms, Trigger Point Injections and Photon Laser Therapy. They reach the source of your pain and giving your body the conditions to genuinely heal.
Trigger Point Injections
Local anesthetic delivered directly into overactive muscle knots, breaking the pain-spasm cycle fast. 15–30 min, without downtime.
Photon Laser Therapy
Precise wavelengths of light activate cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and calm nerve pain — completely painless. 5–20 min. Zero needles.
What are trigger point injections?
A trigger point is a hyperirritable knot inside a muscle — what people commonly call a “muscle knot.” When these form in the jaw, neck, or face, they create chronic aching, stiffness, and pain that often radiates to the head or ear. Massage and stretching can provide temporary relief, but they rarely break the underlying spasm-pain cycle on their own.
Dr. Ravin locates the exact trigger point by palpation, then delivers a small amount of local anesthetic directly into the knot. The muscle relaxes, the pain signal stops, and healing begins. Many patients feel meaningful relief the same day.
- Treats the knots directly, not just the surrounding symptoms
- Local anesthetic (+ optional corticosteroid) for immediate relief
- 15–30 minute session, no downtime, return to your day right away
What to Expect
Dr. Ravin gently palpates the muscle to confirm the trigger point location before any needle is introduced. You may feel a brief twitch or local ache — a sign the spot has been reached. Soreness for 24–48 hours after is normal; meaningful relief typically builds within 1–3 days.
15-30
minute session
1-3
days to peak relief
Zero
downtime
Weeks+
of relief
WHAT IS PHOTON LASER THERAPY?
Also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), photon laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to trigger your body’s own healing response. The light is absorbed by mitochondria inside your cells, boosting energy production, reducing inflammation, and calming overactive pain signals — without drugs, needles, or any discomfort.
It’s not a gimmick — photobiomodulation has 40+ years of peer-reviewed research behind it, with demonstrated effectiveness for TMJ pain, nerve pain, myofascial inflammation, and soft tissue healing. Results build over a treatment series, making it both a standalone therapy and a powerful complement to injections.
- Completely painless — no needles, no heat, no recovery period
- Reduces inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress at the cellular level
- Improves circulation and supports tissue repair in the treated area
What to Expect
A handheld laser device is held gently over the treatment area. You'll wear protective eyewear, and that's about as involved as the prep gets. Most patients feel a mild warmth — or nothing at all. Sessions are quiet, comfortable, and over quickly.
5-20
minute session
2-3x
per week initially
Zero
pain or needles
Builds
cumulatively over time
TMJ Muscle Pain
The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull, and when it’s inflamed or overworked, it can cause clicking, locking, pain, and headaches. Botox relaxes the masseter and pterygoid muscles responsible for jaw tension and overuse, providing lasting relief without surgery.
SOFT TISSUE HEALING
Post-procedure recovery, extraction healing, and oral tissue repair — accelerated through light therapy.
The laser takes damaged tissue away and drives more blood and nutrients into the affected area. Additionally, it simultaneously reduces swelling and pain. These combined biological effects promote faster tissue healing.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Bruxism is a medical term that describes the act grinding or clenching your teeth, often during sleep. Chronic teeth grnding puts enormous stress on your jaw muscles, teeth, and joints. Teeth grinding can also misalign the temporomandibular joint and lead to TMD. Therapeutic Botox weakens the masseter muscle just enough to stop involuntary clenching while preserving normal chewing function, protecting your smile and easing jaw soreness. Results typically last for four to six months.
Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by localized, tender “trigger points” within muscle tissue or the surrounding fascia. It causes persistent, aching pain, frequently in the neck, shoulders, and back, which may travel to other areas (referred pain).
Nerve Pain & Neuropathy
Facial nerve sensitivity and peripheral sensitization in the jaw and face are common, often temporary, consequences of dental and maxillofacial procedures, though they can sometimes persist as chronic neuropathic pain. These issues arise when branches of the trigeminal nerve—specifically the inferior alveolar or lingual nerves—are traumatized, compressed, or chemically irritated during procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, or jaw surgery.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, characterized by mild to moderate dull, aching pain, often described as a tight band around the head, forehead, or back of the neck.
Tension headaches are primarily caused by muscle tightness in the head, neck, and scalp
Schedule an Appointment Today!
We know that trying a new treatment can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve designed every step of your therapeutic experience to be as clear, comfortable, and stress-free as possible.
Consultation
Dr. Ravin listens to your full history, identifies the pain sources involved, and builds a personalized treatment plan before anything else happens.
Mapping Injection Sites
For injections, trigger points are located by palpation. For laser, target areas are identified. Everything is explained clearly before you begin.
The Treatment
Injection sessions take 15–30 minutes. Laser sessions take 5–20 minutes. Both are in-office, require no anesthesia, and have no recovery time.
Follow-Up & Adjustment
Dr. Ravin tracks your progress and adjusts the plan as you respond — working toward lasting relief, not just temporary improvement.
Your Questions, Answered.
We know you may have questions before trying injections, laser therapy, or both. Here are answers to what we hear most often.
