BOTOX®
The temporomandibular joint (known as the TMJ) is the joint where the jawbone meets the skull. It is used every day to eat, talk, and swallow. This joint can become displaced or overworked due to excessive teeth grinding. This can lead to severe tension headaches and chronic pain in the jaw.
BOTOX dental treatments can confront the headaches and pain by relieving the tension in the TMJ.
We will perform a BOTOX evaluation for you – BOTOX providers must screen patients in order to determine eligibility for the treatment. If you have spoken with a provider that does not require this step, you should definitely find another place to receive the BOTOX treatment. At the screening consultation, one of the doctors at Periodontal Health and Implant Surgery Center will thoroughly review your medical history before suggesting or commencing treatment. It will be imperative for you to honestly disclose all information regarding the use of medications or other substances.
BOTOX injections can provide substantial relief from the soreness and pain associated with a TMJ disorder. While the injections will not keep you from performing necessary daily activities like chewing, swallowing, and talking, the injections will reduce the ability of your facial muscles to engage in the grinding that is producing the pain. BOTOX is a convenient and effective alternative solution for many people who are dealing with jaw tension.
- BOTOX is safe – When administered by certified professionals, BOTOX treatments have been proven to be a safe treatment for most patients with jaw tension or a TMJ disorder. It is an FDA-approved alternative to traditional treatment.
- BOTOX can save you money – Excessive grinding will eventually cause worn teeth and damaged gums. The dental solutions for these problems can prove to be quite costly. BOTOX treatment can seriously reduce the grinding and help prevent costly dental expenses in the future.
- BOTOX is a therapeutic option to current drug therapy – Effective BOTOX treatment can significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for daily medications or more severe medications that address migraine headaches and chronic tension headaches. Many headache medications carry the possibility of serious side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and sleepiness.
- BOTOX injections are simple – The actual procedure takes approximately ten minutes. The procedure is minimally invasive and is associated with minimal discomfort or pain.
For patients who struggle with TMJ disorders or jaw tension, the irregular muscle function brings pain and discomfort. To confront the irregular muscle function, BOTOX Cosmetic is injected to block the chemical signal that transmits from the muscle to the nerve. This injection causes a temporary paralysis of the muscle that will begin within a few days until it peaks two to four weeks later. This keeps the affected muscle from being able to engage in problematic grinding of the teeth; however, the muscle is able to carry out its normal, daily functions. The resulting freedom from pain and discomfort will last from three to six months.
While BOTOX is a highly-purified muscle toxin (which has been isolated from a specific strain of bacteria), it has been used safely for medical treatment for the past 25 years. It is administered in situations that require the relaxation of muscles, and it is only given in safe, minuscule amounts. While being used for the relaxation of muscles, it was discovered that BOTOX carried a secondary effect of erasing wrinkles. It now has the approval of the FDA for cosmetic uses.
BOTOX has also developed into an effective alternative treatment for tension headaches and migraines. It is often preferred over current drug therapy for headaches for a couple of reasons. Effective BOTOX treatment can severely reduce or even entirely eliminate the need for strong medications on a daily basis. Also, BOTOX does not carry the serious side effects (e.g., heart attacks, stroke, and sleepiness) that many headache medicines have.