Botox in Louisville, KY & Frankfort, KY

Botox - for TMJ treatment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that joins the lower jaw to the skull. The joint allows the lower jaw to move up and down during chewing and speaking. Many people experience some form of TMJ disorder during their lifetime. Some of them have TMJ disorders because their jaw muscles are too tight, causing the joints to be inflamed, painful, and unable to move properly. Sometimes, the pain may be the result of a combination of factors like genetics, arthritis, or jaw injury. For people with bruxism, TMJ disorders are common. In some cases, the cause of TMJ disorders is not known.

Symptoms of TMJ include:

• Pain in the jaw and face
• Difficulty chewing and talking
• Popping or clicking sound when opening or closing the mouth
• Grinding and locking of the jaw
• Swelling around the TMJ area

Botox for Treatment of TMJ

Botox is a purified protein that has been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic and medical use. Botox is medically approved as a non-surgical treatment for TMJ disorders, which uses toxins to block the signals from the nerves to the muscles. Botox relaxes the muscles surrounding the TMJ and thus relieves pain and discomfort. The injections may be given to specific muscles around the joint or into the joint itself. Some patients may only need one or two injections, while others may need several, depending on their condition. The results are immediate, which means there is no need for recovery time when you receive Botox treatment for TMJ.00

At Signature Smiles and Designing Smiles, we offer Botox injections to treat TMJ pain and related disorders.

How does Botox work?

Botox targets specific muscles by blocking a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that transmits signals from nerve cells to muscles. This relieves jaw tension and causes the muscles to temporarily relax by preventing them from engaging in strenuous, often conscious jaw movement that causes TMJ and facial pain. The effects of Botox usually last between three to six months, depending on the area being treated.

When botox is injected into the facial muscles responsible for bruxism, it relaxes these muscles and minimizes the forces placed on teeth, helping to prevent grinding, clenching, and TMJ pain.

The Benefits of Botox for TMJ Relief

By interfering with the capability of the jaw and facial muscles to engage in teeth grinding, Botox injections relieve soreness and pain of the temporomandibular joint and allow easy performance of activities like chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Besides, the treatment also preserves dental health by preventing wear and tear of teeth due to excessive grinding. Other benefits are as follows:

• Botox treatment relieves TMJ and jaw tension when injected into facial muscles affected by soreness and discomfort. It also helps eliminate headaches due to teeth grinding.
• Botox injections are safe and do not hurt.
• The administration of Botox is a quick and straightforward procedure.
• Most times, Botox injections give quick relief to patients.

Aftercare for Botox treatment

After you receive Botox treatment for TMJ symptoms, you may experience some temporary side effects such as:

• Temporary drooping of eyelids (eyelid ptosis)
• Headache
• Tiredness or weakness
• Burning sensation in injection sites

These are short-term side effects that will resolve within a few days after receiving Botox injections. However, if you experience severe pain or any other serious side effect, please contact us immediately so that we can recommend further treatment or tests if required.

Signature Smiles is located in Louisville, KY, and Designing Smiles is located in Frankfort, KY. Call us at (502) 326-1800 or (502) 226-1900 and schedule an appointment to know more about our medspa services.