BOTOX® Treatment for TMJ
Increasingly, BOTOX® is being used as an alternative treatment for jaw tension and pain associated with TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders. When injected into the facial muscles affected, BOTOX® relieves TMJ and jaw tension for many patients. The injections often eliminate headaches resulting from teeth grinding, and, in cases of severe stress, BOTOX® can even minimize lock jaw. Although BOTOX® treatment for these conditions is presently experimental, evidence indicates that it can be extremely effective.
How Does BOTOX® Treat Jaw Tension and TMJ Disorder?
The TMJs are the small joints in front of each ear that attach the lower jaw to the skull. They allow you to perform such functions as opening and closing your mouth, chewing, speaking and swallowing. TMJ conditions are manifested by pain in the muscles along with limitations in the ability to execute normal movements. If you suffer from such pain, BOTOX® can relieve jaw tension by making muscles unable to engage in the powerful, often unconscious movement of the jaw that produces headaches and pain. Besides relieving TMJ and bruxism symptoms, for your aesthetics and comfort, an additional benefit and side effect of Botox is the relaxation of facial lines along the forehead, glabella, smile lines and "crows feet".
The BOTOX® treatment is usually quick, straightforward, and effective. The injections are administered right here at our office. Some patients experience noticeable improvement within one or two days of their first treatment, although relief can take up to a week.
