Botox for Bruxism & TMJ Disorder
Reduce jaw painYou do not have to suffer from the uncomfortable symptoms of Bruxism or TMJ in silence. Botox injections for Bruxism and TMJ disorder help reduce jaw pain, generally caused by jaw clenching, and slim jawline by relaxing jaw muscles.
If you want to know if you are suffering from Bruxism and TMJ disorder or need an expert's guidance to figure out a treatment plan, our Botox practitioners at our Myrtle Beach clinic will help you through that.
Ready to set free from jaw pain?
All about Bruxism and TMJ disorderKnow if you are suffering
Temporomandibular joints, or TMJ for short, are located on both sides of the face in front of our ears. They are connected to our lower jaw and assist us in chewing and speaking.
A TMJ disorder (also referred to as TMD) occurs when the muscles and ligaments around our jaw joints become inflamed or irritated. The condition can result in pain, mild or severe.
Bruxism, on the other hand, is the involuntary grinding of teeth that usually occurs at night. However, some may also grind their teeth during the day, usually during stressful situations.
Both these conditions, even though different, can affect the overall functioning of our mouth. Bruxism can be caused by TMJ disorder, but bruxism can, in turn, also cause or worsen TMJ disorder.
The known treatments for Bruxism and TMJ disorder include but are not limited to wearing night guards, taking a muscle relaxant before bedtime, and botulinum toxin injections to provide tremendous relief from jaw soreness, headaches, and other unpleasant problems.
At La Vie, our trained practitioners offer botulinum toxin or Botox injections to manage pain and discomfort caused by Bruxism and TMJ disorder. Schedule a consult to know if you are a candidate for Botox injections for Bruxism and TMJ disorder.
What are Bruxism and TMJ disorder? How Botox is the answer for you
Suffering from Bruxism and TMJ disorder can be painful and cause dental problems from loss of tooth enamel to flattening or chipping of the teeth.
This is how the procedure works:
A small amount of neurotoxin will be injected into the muscles responsible for moving your jaw – the masseter muscle, which is responsible for chewing. It may also be injected into the frontalis and temporalis muscles according to your specific needs.
Botox will reduce clenching, and it will also help with any accompanying tension and headaches that you may be experiencing. It relaxes the muscle and reduces the wear and tear on the teeth due to grinding.
Botox usually kicks in about 1 to 3 days after injection (but can take up to two weeks), and the effects could last 3 to 6 months.
Botox will not affect voluntary movements, such as chewing and facial expressions.
Although Botox injections are not a cure for bruxism, they can seemingly control uncomfortable symptoms for some patients.
La Vie provides Botox injections, carried out by our experienced Botox practitioners, to help you get relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of Bruxism and TMJ disorder.
Schedule an appointment to know if you are a candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering if Botox injections for Bruxism and TMJ disorder are for you? Here are some of the frequently asked questions
answered by our lead physician Dr. Lisa Smaldone.
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We use Jeaveau and Xeomin for Bruxism and TMJ Disorder treatments.
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A small amount of neurotoxin will be injected into the muscles responsible for moving your jaw – the masseter muscle, which is responsible for chewing. It may also be injected into the frontalis and temporalis muscles according to your specific needs. The botulinum toxin will reduce clenching, and it will also help with any accompanying tension and headaches that you may be experiencing. Botulinum toxin usually kicks in about 1 to 3 days after injection (but can take up to two weeks), and the effects could last 3 to 6 months.
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Yes! Botox is an effective treatment for bruxism that works by relaxing the muscles responsible for the tension along the jaw. This relaxing of the masseter muscle prevents the tension in the facial muscles that are responsible for the pain and damage caused by bruxism. The effects of botulinum toxin treatment can last up to nine months but the treatment can be repeated for continued relief from aches, pain, and damage to the teeth.
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The number of units an individual will need for jaw clenching varies based on each individual. Some individuals have much stronger masseter muscles which will require more units of Botox.
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The great thing about jawline Botox is that it starts working right after your treatment. It may take up to a week to begin to see a real difference in your jawline and relief from symptoms of TMJ disorders or bruxism.
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A 2012 study found Botox to be an effective treatment for TMJ, with effects lasting three months after the initial injection. Botox for TMJ disorder is typically recommended to be used in conjunction with other therapies such as night guards, prescribed muscle relaxants, or physical therapy.
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There are, however, a few possible short-term side effects, like
• Pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site
• Headache or muscle tightness
• Eye dryness, or excessive tearing
In very rare circumstances, botulinum toxin can spread into other parts of the body. If you notice any of these effects (hours after your injection), be sure to call your doctor right away:
• Severe muscle weakness
• Vision problems
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
