TMJ Treatment in Richmond Hill
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort can affect how you eat, speak and sleep. At Union Health Network in Richmond Hill, Dr. Shahab Entezami, DC offers a clinical assessment and conservative, evidence-informed care options for jaw pain, clicking, locking and TMJ-related headaches. Treatment is selected based on your assessment, preferences and clinical needs — individual results and treatment needs vary.
Dr. Shahab Entezami, BSc, DC, CMAG
Doctor of Chiropractic · Union Health Network, Richmond Hill
Dr. Entezami is a licensed chiropractor in Ontario with a focused clinical interest in TMJ disorders and spine care. He is a registered chiropractor with the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.
At Union Health Network in Richmond Hill, he offers integrated assessment and care that considers the jaw, neck and posture together, while coordinating with your dentist when appropriate.
Dr. Shahab Entezami is a registered chiropractor in Ontario and a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.
Full profile, education & registrationCommon Reasons People Seek a TMJ Assessment
You might consider an assessment if you experience any of the following:
- Jaw pain or tenderness, often around the ear or temples
- Clicking, popping or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
- Jaw locking or limited mouth opening
- Headaches that seem linked to jaw or neck tension
- Facial aching or tiredness after talking or chewing
- Neck stiffness or posture-related discomfort that travels to the jaw
What a TMJ Assessment May Involve
A first assessment is gentle and thorough. It may include:
- A history of your jaw, dental and neck concerns and any prior treatment
- Palpation of the jaw muscles (masseter, temporalis and pterygoid) and the TMJ itself
- Range-of-motion testing of mouth opening and side-to-side jaw movement
- Cervical spine and posture assessment — the jaw and neck are closely connected
- Screening for red-flag signs that warrant referral to a dentist or physician
Conservative Treatment Options
Where appropriate, care may include one or more of the following — selected based on your assessment:
- Contemporary medical acupuncture for the jaw and neck muscles
- Cervical (neck) spinal manipulative therapy
- Soft-tissue and instrument-assisted soft-tissue therapy
- Jaw and neck rehabilitation exercises
- Education on jaw habits, clenching and stress management
- Coordination with your dentist when bite or appliance concerns are present
Reasons We May Refer You Elsewhere
Conservative care is not right for every situation. We will refer promptly when needed:
- Recent facial trauma or suspected fracture
- Suspected infection, severe swelling or unexplained facial changes
- Progressive neurological symptoms
- Joint disease or structural findings that require imaging or specialist care
- Cases where symptoms do not respond as expected — outcomes vary and other care may be appropriate
What to Expect at Your First Visit
At your first visit we take a health history and review jaw, neck and dental factors, then explain our findings in plain language. There is no obligation to begin treatment.
We discuss what your assessment suggests, what care may include, and realistic expectations; individual response varies and there is no fixed number of visits.
No referral is needed. Patients come to us from Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Markham, Vaughan and across the Greater Toronto Area.
Fees and What Your Assessment Includes
Current fees are confirmed when you book. Call us or email us and we will give you the exact fee for the appointment you need.
New Patient Examination
Confirmed when you book~45–60 minutes
- Health history and a review of your concerns and goals
- Physical, orthopedic, movement and, where relevant, neurological examination
- An explanation of the findings in plain language
- An individualized plan of care with options discussed
Treatment at the first visit: Treatment may be provided at the first visit when it is appropriate. This is decided during the visit and is not guaranteed.
Complex Case Examination
Confirmed when you bookLonger first assessment (approx. 60–75 minutes)
- Everything included in a new patient examination
- Extended time for multiple or long-standing concerns, prior surgery or several imaging reports
- Coordination of any further assessment or referral that may be needed
Treatment at the first visit: Availability is confirmed with the clinic before booking; treatment at the first visit only where appropriate.
Follow-up Chiropractic Visit
Confirmed when you bookConfirmed when your plan is agreed
- Treatment as agreed in your plan of care
- Reassessment of your progress and adjustment of the plan
- Exercise and self-management guidance
Treatment at the first visit: —
Complimentary Discovery Call
Complimentary~15 minutes
- A short, no-obligation conversation about your situation and whether an assessment is appropriate
Treatment at the first visit: No examination or treatment is provided on a discovery call.
Some services are charged separately from a standard visit — for example focused shockwave therapy or custom orthotics. Any separate charge is explained before the service is provided, and you can decide not to proceed.
Your assessment findings determine what is recommended. You can discuss the options, including cost, before starting any treatment.
Getting the exact fee for your appointment
Fees vary by appointment type and are confirmed before you commit to anything. Ask us directly:
Insurance & Direct Billing
We can submit claims directly to many extended health benefit plans, which means you may not have to pay up front. Direct billing depends on your insurer, your plan and your policy limits — we cannot guarantee that your plan qualifies, and reimbursement is always decided by your insurer.
Chiropractic care is not covered by OHIP. Most patients use employer-provided extended health care (EHC) benefits. It is worth checking your annual limit, your per-visit maximum and whether your plan asks for a referral before your first visit.
If your injury relates to a motor vehicle accident or a workplace injury, please call us before booking so we can explain what information your claim needs — how a claim is handled depends on the claim itself.
Bring your insurance card to your first visit and we will do our best to bill directly where your plan supports it.
Getting to the Clinic
On-site parking is available. Enter through the main Yonge Street entrance and follow the signs to Unit 16.
If you have accessibility needs, please call us before your visit so we can help you plan it.
Hours can change — please call to confirm before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a TMJ problem a dental issue or a jaw-joint issue?
It can be both. The jaw joint, jaw muscles and neck often contribute together. Your dentist is the right person for bite and appliance concerns, while a chiropractor can assess jaw movement, jaw and neck muscles and posture. Coordinated care is common; individual needs vary.
Can chiropractic care help with jaw clicking or locking?
Conservative care may help reduce jaw clicking, pain and limited opening for some people; individual results and treatment needs vary. An assessment helps determine what may be appropriate for you.
Do I need a referral to book?
No referral is needed. New patients are welcome — you can book directly online or call us at (647) 368-7344.
How many sessions might I need?
Session needs vary widely by individual. We discuss a plan after your assessment and reassess your progress along the way; there is no fixed number of visits.
Selected clinical sources
The clinical information above reflects general guidance. Care at our clinic is based on your individual assessment; individual results and treatment needs vary.
Ready to book?
New patients welcome — no referral needed. Inside Elite Medical Centre, Richmond Hill.
Unit 16, 9080 Yonge St · Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0Y7