Botox® for TMJ Disorders is a Thing - And Here's How It Works
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders can feel like a real pain, both literally and figuratively. When sexy mouth guards don’t help, and you’re finding it hard to move your mouth, Botox® injections could give you the relief you’ve been searching for.
While it's a great option for reducing lines and wrinkles, Botox® can also offer so much more, including helping with tension from jaw clenching.
If you’re considering Botox® for TMJ, welcome! We’ve created this guide to help you understand how Botox® can help relieve jaw pain and tension so that you can talk, eat, smile, and laugh without worrying about pain dimming your glow.
How do you know if you have a TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorders are typically diagnosed by your dentist. They’ll take a look at your overall jaw health, perform imaging tests, and ask you if you’ve experienced any TMJ disorder symptoms like:
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- General facial pain
- Difficulty or pain while opening and closing your mouth
- A popping or clicking feeling when moving the jaw
- Headaches, migraines, earaches, and/or toothaches
- Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus
- Changes in the alignment of your teeth
Usually, a dentist will start by recommending a specific type of mouth guard to alleviate the tension in the jaw. However, this doesn’t always work for everyone. For those who’ve tried nearly everything and still cannot find relief, a Botox® injection could potentially be that option that finally brings the results you’ve been dreaming of.
Why should you consider Botox® for TMJ?
Though Botox® is generally a safe and affordable treatment, there are some other benefits that you might prefer. These can include:
Remember, though, everyone’s journey with Botox® is different. If you have any concerns about Botox® for jaw clenching, be sure to communicate them to your Botox® nursing specialist or your dentist. They can take your personal health into account and provide more personalized advice.
How Botox® works for TMJ disorders
Botox®, known scientifically as Botulinum toxin, works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, which can be incredibly beneficial for conditions like TMJ disorders. The muscles are placed into a state of forced relaxation instead of constantly contracting, clenching, and creating tension.
To help treat jaw pain like a TMJ disorder, your Botox® provider will use a fine needle to administer a small amount of Botox® directly into the jaw muscles. The full relief from TMJ symptoms may not be completely felt until 2-3 days after your treatment.
If you’re concerned about safety, Botox® is FDA-approved and considered safe when injected by a trained professional. However, as with any medical treatment, there are potential side effects, such as bruising or discomfort at the injection site.
Serious side effects like difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking are rare, but it's always a good idea to discuss the risks with your dentist or your Botox® nursing practitioner.
Be sure to ask them about rare and/or serious side effects and what to do if you experience any of them.
After treatment
Botox® treatments will typically last for three to four months. So, if you need to receive them on an ongoing basis, plan to do so about three or four times each year.
Thankfully, Botox® is also a relatively affordable treatment! For example, at Chapter Aesthetic Studios, our services begin at $11.49 per unit for members and $13.52 per unit for non-members. However, final costs can ultimately vary based on any additional factors like extra specialized services or treatments. And if you’re brand new to Chapter Aesthetic Studio, you get 50% off Botox® units!
Once your Botox® session is finished, you do not have to do anything to maintain the effects! However, we still recommend that you schedule another follow-up session 3 to 4 months in the future so that you can receive your treatment on a consistent schedule.
In addition to keeping a consistent schedule with your Botox® nurse practitioner, continue to follow up with your dentist about any other treatments you are receiving for TMJ disorder. If you are responding well to Botox®, your dentist may also modify their treatment plans for you so that you can receive the best care possible.
Get Botox® for TMJ in New Hartford, NY
Smiling, laughing, comfortably eating your favorite foods - these are all aspects of life that are meant to be experienced to the fullest.
If you’re looking for relief from pain caused by jaw clenching, consider Botox® for TMJ disorders or any other type of jaw pain. At Chapter Aesthetic Studio, we specialize in offering personalized and friendly Botox® in New Hartford, NY. If you’re looking to take the next step towards jaw relief, book now or contact any of our 20+ locations to learn more.
