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Oct
How Botox Injections Can Help Ease Your TMJ Discomfort
Most people associate Botox with removing those fine lines many of us get on our foreheads between our eyes. Botox certainly has proven effectiveness for wrinkles. However, it’s also used extensively for relieving symptoms caused by a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ. With proper treatment, you can experience relief from pain caused by TMJ disorder.
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
You can think of the TMJ as a hinge connecting the skull to the lower jaw. There’s a TMJ on both sides of your face, and these joints are used for yawning, speaking, eating, and swallowing. These joints rotate and slide in front of both ears and are some of the body’s most complex joints.
TMJ Disorder Explained
The components of the temporomandibular joints are uniquely designed to work together in harmony. However, when the ligaments, muscles, jaw bone, disk, and temporal bone aren’t aligned or synchronized in movement, TMJ disorder (TMD) is the result. TMD is classified by myofascial pain, internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint, and degenerative joint disease.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is a painful condition that results from a variety of different things, including arthritis, injuries to the jaw, and bruxism. Bruxism is the involuntary, habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth that some people do while sleeping. Any excessive strain on the jaw can cause TMJ disorder. Medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia can also overlap with TMJ disorder or make TMJ pain worse.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Any of these can be symptoms of TMJ disorder:
- Jaw soreness or discomfort.
- Pain that spreads behind the eyes.
- Facial pain.
- Shoulder, back, or neck pain.
- Jaw locking.
- Jaw popping or clicking.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Earaches not caused by infections.
- Limited mouth motions.
- Dizziness.
- Tingling sensation or numbness in the fingers.
- Changes in how the lower and upper teeth fit together.
How Botox Works for TMJ Pain
Botox is injected into the four jaw muscles, the masseters, which are used for any activity in which you open or close your mouth. When your practitioner injects Botox into the masseter muscles, the Botox paralyzes them. The result is less clenching and grinding in the jaw, which allows the person in pain to relax.
Fast-Acting Pain Relief with Botox for TMJ Pain
Most people feel the results of Botox injections within a day or two of receiving the injection. However, full results can be felt after seven to ten days.
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Relief for Up to Six Months
While it provides valuable pain relief, Botox is not a cure for TMJ disorder. Over time, the results of the injection will wear off, and the patient will need to be injected again. However, depending on your unique biology, you can generally expect TMJ pain relief from Botox to last between three and six months.
TMJ Treatment Near Me: Botox Injections in Antioch, CA
To learn more about your options for TMJ pain relief, get in touch with Dr. Nathan Simarro and the team at Simarro Brothers Dental Care in Antioch, California. Call us today at (925) 723-9090 or book an appointment using our online form.
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Ryan Simarro, DMD
Dr. Ryan Simarro was raised in Antioch, California. After graduating from Deer Valley High School, he attended the University of California Santa Barbara, where he earned a degree in cell and developmental biology. Following his graduation, Dr. Simarro attended dental school at Western University of Health Science in Pomona, California, graduating with his DMD as part of the inaugural class. He immediately began practicing dentistry in his hometown of Antioch, partnering with Dr. Mark Miller.
Dr. Simarro is a member of the California Dental Association, the American Dental Association®, the Contra Costa Dental Society and the Seattle Study Club®.
Nathan J. Simarro, DDS
With a B.S. in zoology from the University of California Santa Barbara, Dr. Nathan Simarro studied Spanish language and culture at the Universidad de Alcala de Henares in Madrid, Spain. He received his DDS and completed additional training in Implant Dentistry at the USC School of Dentistry and has worked in the dental field since 2005.
A member of the California Dental Association, ADA, and Contra Costa County Dental Society, he has experience in endodontics, implant dentistry and treating pediatric patients. A recipient of the 2014 USC Mobile Clinic Award and J.A. Slaughter Memorial Scholarship Award, he remains active in international outreach programs with underserved communities around the world.