Botox™ therapy for TMJ disorders can help alleviate common symptoms like teeth clenching and headaches. At Naples Dental Boutique, we possess the expertise to evaluate and diagnose TMJ disorders, facilitating rapid improvement in your overall health and well-being.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can lead to headaches, tension in the jaws, and other symptoms that cause discomfort. The first step many people take to deal with TMJ disorder is seeking conservative intervention. It can help calm the symptoms, although it may not work sometimes.
Botox™ Therapy for TMJ helps polarize the affected muscles, reducing pain resulting from the disorder.
Some of the benefits patients may receive from botox™ therapy for TMJ include:
Botox™ Therapy for TMJ disorders has more benefits, side effects, and much more is involved, so read on for more information.
Treating TMJ using botox™ is nonsurgical, and the physician can do it in the workspace. Typically, treatment sessions take between 10 to 30 minutes.
Patients receive a minimum of three injections for a few months.
Botox™ injections are mainly administered in the forehead, jaw muscles, or temple. Depending on the individual symptoms, the doctor may inject Botox™ in other areas.
The doctor assesses the patient to determine the number of injections they should get. Injected parts may experience pain which the doctor can ease with numbing substances or a cold pack.
Total relief may take time after the treatment, but improvements can be noted after a few days of visiting the doctor. However, one can resume normal activities immediately after the doctor’s visit while they continue to recover.
Although the injected areas may ache after the injection, one is advised not to scratch or rub them a few hours after the treatment to avoid spreading the toxin to other muscle areas.
Botox™ therapy for TMJ has some side effects, and the common ones include:
The muscles may paralyze due to the effect of Botox™, causing the patient to also suffer from a fixed smile that could stay until eight weeks.
Other side effects less common side effects that appear a few weeks after the Botox™ treatment include:
If the side effects are too painful to bear with or persist longer than expected, one should consult their doctor.
Botox™ treatment could work as expected in some people when treating TMJ. But one should note that the use of Botox™ to treat TMJ disorders is only experimental as it’s not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for such purposes.
A study performed by experts has found that Botox™ reduces pain big time and also improves mouth movements a few months after treatment.
Other studies discovered that 90% of participants felt relief from symptoms, although they initially couldn’t feel any better after conservative treatments. Despite the positive outcome of these studies, researchers want research to continue to gather additional information about Botox™ therapy for TMJ disorders.
The duration of Botox™ effects on TMJ can vary from one individual to another. Mostly, the effects of Botox™ therapy on TMJ will last anywhere from 3-6 months.
How long Botox™ lasts on TMJ also depends on several factors:
The rate at which Botox™ is processed could also depend on one’s body or physiology. Botox™ will quickly be eliminated from the body in some individuals, which impacts the duration of side effects.
Botox™ is a good treatment for TMJ, with various benefits, and clinical studies and evidence support all. The following are the benefits:
While Botox™ is effective in treating TMJ, here are a few individuals must note:
Another downside is that botox™ injections require expert administration, by a qualified health professional, with experience in TMJ treatment. TMJ disorders also require proper assessment, personalized treatment plans, and precise injection techniques for the best results and to prevent injury or worsening of the condition.
Patients seeking Botox™ for TMJ disorders should consult their insurer in case the insurance covers such treatment. High chances are insurance may not pay the cost of Botox™ for TMJ treatment because it is yet to gain approval from the FDA.
The amount one must pay to treat TMJ with Botox™ may vary. Factors affecting the cost include the number of injections needed and how severe the condition is. The location is another aspect to consider because medical care costs generally vary from place to place.
In most cases, patients pay $500 to $1500 for the treatment, but again the price isn’t fixed.
Botox™ is an excellent way of treating TMJ disorders. It is fast to administer and is a less invasive process. Its benefits include headache relief, improved jaw movements, and pain relief. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward achieving the healthy smile of your dreams.
