Botox is a purified protein that relaxes muscles. It is commonly used to treat fine and wrinkles, such as frown lines. Botox to treat TMJ jaw clenching and teeth grinding (known as bruxism).
What is Botox treatment?
Botulinum toxin A, also known as botox, is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. In small doses, the bacterium can be used as a cosmetic procedure to help reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. It is an effective treatment for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD when used in small amounts.
TMD is when the jaw joint becomes inflamed and causes pain in the face, head, or neck. There are three types of TMD: internal disorders, trauma-related disorders, and functional disorders such as bruxism. Bruxism is when you grind your teeth together during sleep; it is the most common type of TMD. Other symptoms of TMD include muscle tension in the face, limited mouth opening, clicking of the jaw, earache, and a locked jaw.
Botox injections help to alleviate the pain associated with grinding teeth at night by relaxing the muscles in the jaw. Therefore, it allows the muscles to rest and reduces the inflammation that is causing the discomfort. Botox also helps treat headaches caused by TMD as it can help relax tense muscles and relieve the pressure on the nerves in the head and neck area.
Botulinum toxin A is also used in medical settings to help treat chronic migraines. Some symptoms treated with Botox include neck pain, eye strain, tension headaches, muscle pain, and more. It has become one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States, with over six million prescriptions being filled yearly.
How does Botox to treat TMJ and clenching?
While many people associate Botox treatments with cosmetic procedures, they can also be used for therapeutic purposes. A recently published study concluded that botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections are an effective treatment for relieving symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This common condition causes symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and facial pain. Essentially, the injection blocks the nerve impulses that cause the patient to clench his or her jaw or grind his or her teeth during sleep. This allows patients to get a good night’s rest and experience reduced discomfort and pain.
Before going through this treatment, patients must have an evaluation with their dentist to ensure their TMD is not related to another underlying condition. Additionally, it should not be used in patients with nerve problems or certain neuromuscular disorders. However, for those suffering from chronic migraines or tension headaches, this process could be very useful. A study from The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 85% of patients treated with Botox experienced pain relief within 24 hours of the injection. This is the first FDA-approved nonsurgical procedure to treat migraine headaches.
Another potential use for this medication is in treating teeth grinding. The medical term for this condition is called bruxism. This can happen day or night when a person sleeps, but they may also grind their teeth during the day without realizing it. Over time, this can damage the teeth and lead to oral health issues. Bruxism can also cause pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. Many times, the cause of brux
Botox has helpful and therapeutic effects to soothe pain and tenderness.
Patients who clench or grind their teeth often deal with pain and discomfort in the jaw and surrounding muscles. This pain causes headaches and migraines in many patients and also interferes with their ability to chew and speak. The good news is that you do not have to live with discomfort and pain! Our dentist offers nonsurgical treatment of TMD using Botox injections.
Botox is an FDA-approved drug created from botulinum toxin A. Botulinum toxin A is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and it inhibits the movements of the facial and jaw muscles by temporarily blocking nerve impulses to your muscles. When injected into your jaw muscles and surrounding tissues, Botox effectively reduces stress and tension from clenching and grinding your teeth, relieving the pain you are experiencing.
If you have been experiencing persistent pain or discomfort due to problems with your teeth or jaw, schedule an appointment with our dentist today to see if Botox to treat TMJ is right for you! Call us today to schedule your consultation appointment with our experts here. We can’t wait to see you!
