Finding Relief for TMJ Pain

When people think of Botox, often times, preventative measure for aging and diminished wrinkles are the first things that come to mind. For anyone suffering from temporomandibular joint pain, also known as TMJ pain, Botox may be a great way to temporarily eliminate tension in the jaw. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that more than 10 million Americans are affected by the disorder. Similar to the way Botox works in areas like the forehead and glabella lines, it blocks communication between the nerves and muscles that reside in the temporomandibular joints. Botox alleviates tension within the jaw preventing muscles from engaging in involuntary movement of the jaw. If you frequently wake up with migraine headaches it is possible that you are grinding your teeth throughout the night. Seeing a doctor that specializes in the anatomy of the face should be the first step you take if you think you may have TMJ pain. Botox has the ability to eradicate certain conditions like lockjaw which sometimes comes hand in hand with TMJ pain.Once it has been determined that you are a good candidate for Botox in the temporomandibular joints, you will receive the Botox injections temporalis, frontalis and masseter muscles. Those that are familiar with this treatment may know it as Botox in the masseter. This procedure has become increasingly popular and is a great way alleviate the effects that TMJ may have on one’s jaw. In addition to pain relief, Botox adds a slimming effect to the face due to the weakening of these muscles. Any pain that is felt should be minimal and only the areas that have been injected will be infected by the Botox. Following your treatment you may feel slight tenderness in the muscle, but that is normal. Because Botox is considered an “off-label” treatment, it is crucial that you see a reputable doctor that has experience injecting these areas. To book an appointment in my private practice please call my office at 626-316-7033!