Have you ever opened up your mouth too wide and felt a soreness in your face? Or how about when you clench your teeth; have you ever felt severe jaw pain? Or even a headache? These symptoms may all be signs that use suffer from TMJ disorder. TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is a disorder associated with inflammation and pain of the jaw joint. While there are multiple ways to address TMJ disorder through intraoral intervention such as mouth guards and oral surgery, there is another effective tool to address TMJ soreness without looking inside the mouth, this is Botox. Dr. Amy Martin DDS is a licensed provider of Botox to treat issues of jaw pain, facial soreness and other symptoms related to TMJ disorders. Today we asked her some questions about Botox and how it is used at Chicago Smile Design to treat our patients.
How is BOTOX Used in Chicago Dentistry?
At Chicago Smile Design, Botox products are used to alleviate soreness of the face and jaw muscles caused by grinding of the teeth and TMJ disorder. The way it works is by inactivating part of the jaw muscles that we use to grind and clench with a Botox injection, we also reduce the force and damage done to the jaw joint and teeth. By reducing the damage done to the jaw joint and teeth, we are able to relieve soreness of the face and jaw muscles. When these jaw muscles become overworked and sore, they can cause the patient to have headaches, as well. Through the use of Botox injections, we can even help to alleviate these headaches.
What is BOTOX and How Does BOTOX Work?
BOTOX, or Botulinum Toxin, is a neuromodulator. Similar to other neuromodulators it works by inactivating the muscles where the protein substance is injected. When used in cosmetic cases, the injection of Botox will work to put the patient’s facial muscles in a state of paralysis which will noticeably smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. In dentistry, Botox is typically injected in the jaw muscle to inactivate the muscles we use to grind and clench our teeth. By inactivating these muscles, we are able to help eliminate TMJ symptoms such as facial soreness and jaw pain.
How long does BOTOX last?
Botox typically lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 months after initially injected into the muscles. After this time period the effects of the Botox injection begin to wear off and the muscle wakes up again. If patients are using Botox to smooth out wrinkles in their forehead, they will notice their wrinkles will begin to reappear around 3 to 4 months after injection. Immediately after injection, patient’s will feel a tightness of the skin of their forehead, which might cause a strange sensation when the patient tries to move their facial muscles. At 3 to 4 months out from injection, the patients should be able to move their forehead normally again.
For patients who received Botox injections to help alleviate pain from headaches, facial soreness or TMJ disorder, they will begin to notice the same jaw pain, headache or soreness of the muscles 3 to 4 months after initial treatment. This is an indication that it’s time to get treatment with Botox again.
Patient comfort is always at the forefront of our minds at Chicago Smile Design, so we are very happy that we can use techniques such as Botox address these issues related to TMJ disorders. If you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder such a jaw pain or headaches, or if you are just curious about Botox injections, please schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss Botox injections further with Dr. Amy Martin.
Best,
Dr Tomaselli