Botox injections are used for many types of pain relief, including TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders.
The temporo-mandibular joint is where the jawbone meets the skull. This is where you can get searing muscle pain from teeth grinding, lockjaw and stress-induced jaw clenching. People with TMJ can also experience pain in and around the ear.
People may have a hard time opening and closing their mouths comfortably, and may experience painful clicking when speaking, chewing, and even yawning.
Botox injections for TMJ can be performed by experienced oral surgeons and dentists. Depending on the number of injections, Botox for TMJ can take 10-30 minutes.
Botox injections relieve jaw tension and pain by relaxing the muscles. After the injections, you should avoid rubbing the injection area so that the Botox does not spread to other muscles.
Botox for cosmetic purposes works quickly because it is injected into smaller muscles, but the muscles around the jaw are larger, so the effects of Botox for TMJ may take one to two weeks. This is well worth the rate as you will likely be able to eat easier and sleep better.
Some people may be worried about possible pain from Botox injections. Fortunately, the Botox injections are done with tiny needles so the pain is usually brief and may feel like a quick prick. A dentist can help you with pain by numbing the injection sites with a painkiller.
Botox injections for TMJ may not be covered by insurance because are not approved yet by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Botox injections for TMJ have been used successfully and safely used for years in the U.S. and in other countries. There have also been studies that show the effectiveness of Botox for TMJ.
If your TMJ has not been helped by other treatments, Botox injections may give you the relief that you have dreamed of. To learn more about Botox injections, please call our office at 818-716-0297 to learn how Botox injections can help you.