
Oct
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.
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.
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.
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.
Any of these can be symptoms of TMJ disorder:
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.
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.
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.
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.