Many injuries can affect the temporomandibular joint, leading to chronic, at times, severe pain in the neck, face, and head disrupting sleep patterns and daily life. The discomfort resulting from the jaw injury is the temporomandibular joint TMJ disorders, and no one knows what causes the signs to have long-lasting effects.
Several treatment options are accessible that are supposed to help with pain, inclusive of Botox. Botox for TMJ refers to a neurotoxic protein that can help treat the symptoms of TMJ conditions. You can take full advantage of this therapy if other techniques have not worked. Botox for TMJ can help treat the subsequent symptoms of a TMJ condition.
- Tension of the jaw
- Headache due to grinding teeth
- Pain in case of severe stress
Table of Contents
What is TMJ?
TMJ, also known as TMD, is a condition that causes mild or severe pain in the jaw. The basis of temporomandibular joint TMJ disorders is not yet established; however, many specialists believe that the trauma and stress are related to the ongoing discomfort connected to the condition. It mainly affects the temporomandibular joint. This joint provides a lot of flexibility needed to perform many social functions like talking or eating.
When the temporomandibular joint gets damaged, the face may be sensitive, and many patients report regular headaches. Because the temporomandibular joint links the skull to the jaw, the pain can radiate to other body parts, including the neck and the temples. Other symptoms consist of difficulty opening and closing the mouth, clenching the jaw, or a twisted bite. One more common sign that coincides with pain is a clicking sound when you open or close the jaw.
What Triggers TMJ?
While it is a great mystery, it’s concluded that some injuries can cause these conditions. For example, many people involved in a car accident may report chronic jaw pain, especially if they have developed whiplash. Other strain to the neck and face can accelerate TMJ disease even after the healing of the primary.
Stress-related behavior is also a cause of TMJ. The inception of bruxism (grinding of teeth) and clenching of the jaw are usually because of anxiety and usually occur during sleep. Constant stress on the joint may cause ongoing pain and result in many of the signs linked to TMJ.
TMJ Treatment with Botox
While still a comparatively new treatment alternative for TMJ, Botox improves an assortment of health conditions that result from muscle overload. Diseases like chronic migraines, excessive sweating, uncontrollable blinking, and more may get treated with Botox; hence, it’s also a natural remedy for TMJ.
See Also: TMJ treatment in Los Angeles
It operates by temporarily weakening the muscles, causing cosmetic and medical problems, and relieving skin and pain conditions. Although the Botox medication for TMJ is not FDA approved, the injections effectively produce promising outcomes in individuals ill with TMJ.
The treatment functions by strategically administering a sequence of injections directly into the chewing muscle, the muscle that is mainly trained during chewing and speaking. Some TMJ problems may result from over-stimulation of the chewing muscle, and the Botox injections for TMJ can relax the muscle and relieve tension in your jaw.
To get the full effect of the Botox treatment, several weeks of refresher sessions are necessary. After the first two sessions, most patients experience substantial relief from the TMJ disorder and may even notice an extra benefit: softer skin!
Effectiveness of Botox
Botox might be efficient in treating TMJ in several individuals. However, this therapy for TMJ illnesses is in a trial. The FDA has not yet approved the usage of Botox in TMJ. Botox can significantly reduce pain and increase movements of your mouth three months after treatment.
What Happens at the Time of the Procedure?
Botox treatment is an outpatient procedure that is purely non-surgical. Your doctor in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, can do this in his office. Every treatment session usually lasts 10-30 minutes. You can expect a minimum of three injection sittings for some months.
The doctor will inject Botox in the muscles of the forehead, temples, and jaw. They can also inject other parts depending on the symptoms. Your doctor will decide how many Botox injections for TMJ to administer. You may experience pain when getting the injection, the same as an insect sting or bite. Doctors recommend relieving pain with a cold compress or numbing cream.
Although you may feel improvement within one or two days of treatment, it typically takes a few days for the relief to subside. People who have undergone Botox for TMJ may expect to resume normal activities immediately; they leave the doctor’s office.
You should stay upright and avoid massaging or rubbing the injection sites for some hours after the treatment. This will help prevent the poison from reaching the other muscles.
Benefits of Botox
Here are the benefits of Botox for TMJ that you may experience.
- The injections are negligibly invasive
- Muscles gets relieved of tension
- Sessions are moderately painless
- Only treats specific muscles
- No interruptions after treatment
- Prevents muscles from relaxing after injections
- The results are aesthetically pleasing
Side Effects
The major side effects of Botox are:
- Headache
- Flu-like illness
- Respiratory infection
- Nausea
- Temporarily drooping eyelid
Botox can also cause a “steady” smile that can last six-eight weeks. The numbing effect of Botox on the muscles may cause this side effect.
Here are other side effects related to the Botox injection. They usually appear in the initial week of the treatment and comprises of the following.
- Pain
- Redness at the site of injection
- Bruising at the site of injection
- Muscle weakness
What Does Recovery Look like after Botox for TMJ Treatment?
Since the Botox treatment procedure is non-invasive and non-surgical, the individual will likely be able to return to regular activities instantly. To prevent the toxin from spreading to other muscles, you should not massage or rub the injected area and should remain standing for hours. Also, limit physical activity for a while.
Cost of Botox for TMJ Treatment
Contact your insurance company to confirm if they insure TMJ treatments, inclusive of Botox injections. They probably don’t cover treatment because Botox is not FDA approved for these uses. However, it is worth asking if they cover this treatment.
The cost of Botox for TMJ treatment will vary.
The individual’s treatment needs, the Botox injections required, and the symptoms’ brutality will define how much you expend on the procedure. The geographical location where you get your treatment also influences the costs. At Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Dr. Bruce Vafa DDS offers this treatment for $15-$17 per unit 50 – 70 units.
Botox Treatment at Smile Angels of Beverly Hills
If you think you are suffering from TMJ, it is vital to get an expert diagnosis from a dentist before seeking treatment at Smile Angels in Los Angeles. Although our doctor, Bruce Vafa DDS, work to treat pain related to the disorder, Botox is not a cure for the TMJ disorder. It is significant that clients also get the treatment that focuses on the condition’s source and the resulting uneasiness.
Depending on the individual condition, some lifestyle modifications may be essential to make progress from TMJ. If you are aware of activities that trigger TMJ pain and seek treatment for trauma management and bruxism during the night, it can be in addition to the Botox regimen you are getting. Talk to the dentist about the perfect methods you may use to remedy TMJ.
If you are interested in a Botox for TMJ treatment, it is essential to bear in mind that you might have to recompense for the entire procedure out of your pocket. Your insurance may accept Botox treatment for TMJ even though it is not yet FDA approved. However, if you have not responded to additional treatment techniques or do not want an intrusive or invasive procedure, going for Botox injections can provide you with some needed relief.
Does Botox help TMJ? To find out, we offer consultations in which we evaluate your jaw and create an all-inclusive treatment plan that suits your concerns. We will find out the correct number of units required and the correct injection areas that will relax the jaw and help you restore a better quality of life. To learn more regarding TMJ treatment in Los Angeles with jaw Botox or to plan a session with us, call Smile Angels of Beverly Hills.