Find Relief From Your Symptoms with TMJ Disorder Therapy

TMD, temporomandibular disorder, or more popularly called TMJ, temporomandibular joint, causes far more distress than simply an annoying popping or click of the jaw. TMJ sufferers often experience symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, ear ringing, dizziness and shoulder discomfort. Further, the associated grinding and clenching can easily lead to damaged teeth, jaw joints and impact the gum tissue.

The jaw is basically constructed out of three parts:

• The upper temporal bone
• The mandible (lower jaw)
• A joint that allows the two parts to move.

However it takes more than these three simple parts for your mouth and jaw to function.

There is an interconnected web of nerves, tissue, bone, muscles and blood vessels that must work together smoothly, or problems arise. Stress, accidents, impacts and other factors can cause the muscles and nerves to tighten and to pull the jaw out of alignment. The result is the familiar popping and clicking, often accompanied by headaches, pain and damage to the teeth, jaw and gums.

Using Botox to Address and Relieve TMJ Symptoms

There are a number of approaches, treatments and devices for treating TMJ. However, common to most all cases of TMJ, is the factor of clenched, tight and inflamed muscles. As a general rule it is highly beneficial to reduce the muscular tension and induce relaxation in the jaw.

As part of our ongoing campaign to implement modern dental technology and techniques into our practice we have undergone extensive training in the use of Botox for various dental applications. One such application where we have seen tremendous success and relief in TMJ treatments has been the usage of Botox. Our patients have experienced significant reductions in TMJ symptoms and a number have seen long lasting, if not permanent, overall improvement.

How Does Botox Work?

In a nutshell, Botox, short for botulinum toxin, is a purified protein which is strategically injected into the targeted muscles. Although Botox is considered a “muscle relaxant” it actually does not directly affect the muscle. Instead, Botox goes to work on the transmitters between the motor nerves, blocking the “messages” that then stimulate or activate a muscle. When the muscle no longer receives the message causing it to clench up, then it relaxes and the TMJ condition is greatly relieved.

While it is necessary to repeat the injections every several months, we have seen cases where the jaw muscles seem to relearn a new pattern and long-term, if not permanent, reduction in TMJ symptoms has been experienced by some of our patients.

Depending upon the underlying causes of a patient’s TMJ there may be other treatments that will need to be taken as well. Having the training and experience to utilize Botox as an effective treatment towards many cases of TMJ has been a true blessing for our patients that suffer from this condition.