Enjoy A Painless Lifestyle with Botox for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

Do you experience jaw pain, constant headaches, or difficulty chewing? Believe it or not, it could be related to your jaw joints. Everyone has two hinge-like joints (temporomandibular joints) on either side of the face. The TMJs connect the lower jawbone to the skull and are crucial in movements like chewing, talking, and even breathing.

Heavy clenching and/or grinding can inflame the muscles, causing discomfort and pain that can spread beyond the jaw to the head, neck, shoulders, and even down the arms. No one wants the burden of living with TMJ pain. Our Norwood, New Jersey, and New York, New York offices offer Botox treatment to eliminate muscle pain in the TMJ area. Call Dr. Kelli Brady to schedule an appointment if you have pain in your jaw.

What are the symptoms of TMJ pain?

When your TMJs are healthy, you barely notice their presence. However, when inflamed, injured, or stressed, TMJs cause numerous unpleasant symptoms. Recognizing TMD symptoms is the first step in addressing the underlying issue and finding relief.

Here are the common symptoms of TMD:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Unexplained jaw pain or soreness
  • Clicking or popping sounds when using your mouth
  • Painful chewing
  • Locked jaws
  • Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

How does Botox treat TMJ pain?

Botox is a neuromodulator that temporarily reduces overactive muscles. The masseter muscle, and sometimes the temporalis muscle, play a role in chewing and are overactive in patients who grind or clench their teeth (a condition called bruxism). Injecting Botox directly into the muscle relaxes the muscle, reducing the force of grinding and clenching. This helps alleviate jaw pain, tension headaches, and other symptoms associated with TMJ disorders.

Unlike popular misconceptions, Botox doesn’t affect the primary functions of chewing, grinding, and smiling. Botox targets the masseter muscle and sometimes the temporalis muscle, which is responsible for much of the pressure exerted during grinding. So, Botox addresses TMJ pain without impairing other facial movements. The treatment prevents wear on the teeth, reduces jaw discomfort, and even gives the face a slightly slimmer appearance in some patients due to decreased muscle size over time.

What can I expect from Botox treatment?

The procedure is simple and painless. Once Dr. Brady identifies the target muscles, we’ll inject Botox into them. Patients can resume their daily routine after treatment, only avoiding strenuous exercise.

Most patients experience pain relief after 2-3 days. However, Botox reaches its maximum therapeutic effects around two weeks after injection. This gradual process is due to how Botox interacts with the muscle—it temporarily inhibits nerve signals responsible for muscle contractions, leading to muscle relaxation.

However, Botox isn’t permanent. Over time, the body metabolizes the product. Breaking down the product returns the muscle activity to normal typically after 3-6 months, depending on individual metabolism and muscle strength. For consistent results, you’ll need follow-up treatments. However, many patients find that the effectiveness of Botox increases with subsequent treatments as the targeted muscles “learn” to relax from repeated injections.

Do you need Botox treatment for TMJ pain?

Botox isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment for TMJ pain, but it's a step towards relief. Overcome TMJ disorder today by talking to Dr. Kelli Brady. Call Norwood, NJ (201) 806-6866 or New York, NY (646) 692-0227 to book an appointment in our offices.