Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular jaw joint and the surrounding muscles, often resulting in prolonged and severe pain.
At Modern American Dentistry, we often see patients in the Southern California area who say that TMJ pain is affecting their quality of life. We have found Botox to be an effective solution to help TMJ sufferers manage their pain.
How does Botox help TMJ Pain?
Botox works by paralyzing the tight muscles around the jaw, eliminating the resulting pain. Botox can also be used to relieve headaches caused by clenching or grinding. A small amount of Botox is injected into the problematic muscles, and injection sites will be specifically formulated to target the specific causes of your TMJ pain.
Is Botox permanent?
No, Botox injections are not permanent. The Botox solution is gradually absorbed by your body over time and most typically lasts 3 – 4 months. This makes Botox an ideal solution for TMJ pain as patients can experience immediate pain relief, while implementing solutions to remedy the underlying cause of the pain; such as a soft diet, jaw exercises, or being fitted with customized night guard to prevent teeth clenching and grinding at night.
Will Botox Treatment Hurt?
As with any injection, there may be some pain associated with the injection of Botox, but this is restricted to the insertion of the needle. Pain will be brief and you will be able to resume your normal activities directly after the appointment.
Modern American Dentistry specialize in helping patients in the Southern Californian area treat TMJ pain. Contact the Modern American Dentistry team today to see if Botox could help you.