Serving Short Hills, NJ

Relieve Headaches and Protect Your Smile with Custom Night Guards & NTI Therapy
Do you wake up with headaches, a sore jaw, or tense facial muscles? If so, nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching may be to blame. Stress and tension often lead to involuntary clenching while you sleep, placing excessive strain on your jaw muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). This can cause chronic pain, migraines, muscle soreness, and even tooth damage.
At The Art of Smile, we offer advanced solutions, including the NTI appliance and custom-fitted night guards, to help protect your teeth and alleviate discomfort caused by grinding and clenching.
Fast, Effective Relief with the NTI Appliance
Traditional night guards protect teeth from grinding but don’t stop the clenching that leads to headaches and jaw pain. The NTI (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibitor) is a small dental device designed to reduce muscle activity by preventing your teeth from fully engaging in clenching.
How does it work? The NTI appliance takes advantage of a natural reflex—when your front teeth encounter an object, your jaw instinctively stops clenching. This device is worn on the upper or lower front teeth while you sleep, helping to significantly reduce clenching intensity and, in turn, alleviating pain and tension.
The NTI is the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment for migraine prevention and is known to provide relief in just days. Some patients experience immediate improvement, while others notice a gradual reduction in pain over a few weeks.
Fitting the NTI appliance is quick and easy—no messy impressions or molds required. Your dentist can customize and secure the device in less than 30 minutes, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit.
Custom Night Guards for Long-Term Protection
Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, affects millions of people, often without them realizing it. Left untreated, grinding can wear down tooth enamel, cause fractures, and lead to jaw pain, headaches, and facial muscle tension.
Many people only discover they grind their teeth when their dentist spots signs of damage, or their sleep partner hears them grinding at night. Stress, alcohol consumption, and even airway issues in children can contribute to this condition.
A custom-fitted night guard provides a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing excessive wear and reducing strain on your jaw. Unlike over-the-counter options, custom mouth guards are made from durable, high-quality materials tailored to your bite for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Say Goodbye to Bad Breath
Chronic bad breath (halitosis) can be embarrassing and frustrating. In many cases, it stems from bacteria and food debris left behind after eating. Regular professional cleanings and improved oral hygiene can help eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
If poor oral hygiene isn’t the cause, a saliva test can help identify underlying issues such as dry mouth or infections. Once we determine the source, we’ll provide targeted treatments to keep your breath fresh and healthy.