Jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and headaches are just a few common symptoms of TMJ disorder, which is also known as TMD. If you are struggling with such issues, there are several treatments that might be able to help — including BOTOX injections. Although BOTOX is usually thought of as a purely cosmetic procedure, it can actually be very helpful in relieving the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorder. This blog post explains how.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
In order to understand how BOTOX can help with TMJ disorder, you should have a basic knowledge of why this condition can be so uncomfortable.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) control movement of the lower jaw. When they experience stress or damage, they can become painful and inflamed. They can even cause discomfort in nearby areas! That occurs because your facial muscles and other structures are struggling to compensate for a joint that is not working optimally. As a result, you may experience headaches, neckaches, facial pain, and other symptoms.
How Does BOTOX Help?
BOTOX is the brand name of a diluted form of botulinum toxin. When BOTOX is strategically injected into the face, it limits muscle movements. In effect, it forces the muscles to relax! As a result, facial pain, tension headaches, and related forms of discomfort may be greatly diminished or even disappear entirely. BOTOX can also help to prevent bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), which often contributes to TMJ pain.
A single round of BOTOX injections can produce results that last for several months.
Is BOTOX a Permanent Solution for TMD?
For many patients, BOTOX injections are an excellent way to find fast and effective relief from the pain of TMJ disorder. It is possible to receive BOTOX periodically for years on end in order to experience continuous results.
However, it is worth noting that BOTOX does not actually address the root cause of TMD in most cases. For truly lasting relief, it is often combined with other treatments. For example, you might need slight adjustments to your bite. Once your upper and lower teeth work harmoniously together, you will be at a greatly reduced risk of TMD symptoms.
BOTOX can do more than treat wrinkles. In fact, it may play a big role in helping you find freedom from TMJ disorder!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Russ Teasdale has been proudly serving the Portland, OR, community since 1981. He is a true expert on TMD treatments and offers numerous therapies that can help patients find relief from their symptoms, including BOTOX injections. If you would like to learn more about how he and our team may be able to serve you, contact Evolution Dental at 503-974-3829.