Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD, occurs when the joints where the jawbone meets the skull become dislocated or swollen due to certain stressors.
You can locate the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) on both sides of your skull, just behind your ears. Try placing two fingers on each side of your face, open your mouth, speak, or swallow. Sometimes, you might grind or clench your teeth during sleep.
It’s important to know that jaw muscles play a crucial role in head and neck movements.
TMJ Symptoms
- Jaw pain (sharp or achy)
- Painful popping or clicking of the jaw when chewing or speaking
- Lockjaw: Limited ability to open and close the jaw
- Swelling of the face
- Neck and/or shoulder pain
- Headaches/migraines, toothaches
- Ringing and pain in the ears
TMJ Causes
Common causes include teeth grinding, clenching, and chewing hard or crunchy food. Lockjaw, a well-known term for TMJ, can occur due to stress, preventing normal jaw movement. TMJ discomfort can also be worsened by stress unrelated to jaw muscle use, causing tightness in neck and face muscles.
Can BOTOX Treat TMJ?
Yes, Botox injections can temporarily alleviate TMJ symptoms. However, it doesn’t address the root cause. If Botox helps with pain, it opens up discussions about alternative treatments like realigning the bite or using appliances.
How BOTOX Helps with TMJ
Botox injections reduce muscle function by targeting the masseter and temporalis muscles. This relieves TMJ-related pain, headaches, and swelling. Once facial pain is controlled, addressing external stressors becomes easier.
Areas Treated in BOTOX TMJ Therapy
Botox can be injected into various facial muscles, including the jaw, forehead, and temples. Your dentist will assess your symptoms and examine your jaw, face, and neck to determine the right amount and injection sites during each visit. The injections might cause brief pain, similar to a bee’s sting.
Taking a holistic approach is essential, considering that TMJ symptoms affect more than just your jaw and teeth. Addressing TMJ problems can improve overall health and well-being.
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