If taking a big bite out of your dinner makes your jaw click — or worse, lock up — it’s time to consider treatments for your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort.
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery, our skilled providers understand that TMJ pain can affect your quality of life, your ability to eat comfortably, and your comfort when speaking. That’s why we are proud to offer comprehensive TMJ care — from surgery to Botox®, we can help you feel better.
Tired of TMJ pain? Here’s how Botox can give you relief.
What is TMJ pain?
Your TMJ is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. It’s a unique joint that allows for a wide range of motion, including up-and-down and side-to-side motions. TMJ pain is any pain and discomfort associated with this joint. Sometimes TMJ disorders are called TMD.
TMJ disorders can cause:
- Pain when eating
- Clicking noises
- Locked up jaw
- Difficulty opening and shutting the mouth
In addition to these oral symptoms, TMJ disorders can even cause neck pain and headaches. If you always seem to wake up with a headache, it could be linked to bruxism and/or TMJ disorders.
What causes TMJ pain?
TMJ pain is caused by many conditions including arthritis, injury/accident, misaligned jaw, teeth grinding (bruxism), and excessive chewing (such as chewing gum). TMJ pain is also linked to high stress levels. Determining the cause of your pain plays a big role when determining the right treatment. For example, if bruxism causes TMJ pain, you might benefit from a nightguard.
Depending on the cause of your TMJ pain, you might even benefit from Botox injections.
How does Botox provide relief?
Research published in several journals including Journal of American Association (JADA), Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) and the journal Toxins highlights Botox’s ability to provide relief from TMJ pain. There are specific muscles —the temporalis muscle, the masseter muscle and the lateral pterygoid muscles — that are most often affected by TMJ disorders. Researchers found that when Botox is administered into these muscles, they relax. As a result, Botox injections reduce:
- The intensity of the pain
- The frequency of TMJ flare-ups
- The duration of painful episodes
The same study also found that negative side effects were uncommon. This is especially good news if you’ve tried other at-home remedies (like heat therapy) but didn’t find enough relief.
Is Botox right for you?
Finding relief from your TMJ pain means you can eat comfortably once again. If you’d like to learn more about Botox for TMJ pain, we can guide you with your next steps. To schedule an appointment at one of our three convenient Virginia locations, call the clinic of your choice, or simply request an appointment online.