TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder can feel like tenderness on the side of your face, a headache from your neck to the top of your head, clicking of the jaw, or even an earache. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a complex joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull with a stretch of muscles and ligaments. If you have TMJ disorder (also known as TMD), you know how much pain it can cause. Studies have shown that the majority of the TMJ disorders are caused by Muscles and some are true Joint issues. Hence palliative treatments such as hot compresses, chiropractic adjustments, and over the counter NSAIDs can help, but there are a few other options as well.
Although there’s no specific or direct cause to TMJ disorder, there’s a few things that may trigger TMJ pain. Stress, arthritis in the jaw, Malocclusion, teeth grinding or clenching, or a previous jaw injury are a few root causes of TMJ pain. Some of the under lying causes can be hereditary. In any case, whether it’s caused by excessive stress, teeth related issues or genetics, there are options to relieve the discomfort with pain management and proper longterm therapy with appliances.
Botox has been found to be helpful not only for smoothing wrinkles, but helping with migraines and jaw pain. Botox is an injectable neuromodulator, which is “a fancy name for a class of chemicals that interrupts the signals between nerves and muscles.” This interruption helps the muscle relaxation and offers relief. Botox has been used to reduce muscle pain and alleviate headaches when used correctly for medicinal purposes. Its effectiveness overlaps into TMJ disorders due to the symptoms that the muscle causes.
How it Neuromodulators like Botox Can Help TMD Pain
For people who have TMD such as chronic migraines, severe headaches, jaw pain or lockjaw, Botox is administered as a shot, which relaxes the muscles surrounding the TMJ: the forehead, temple, and jaw muscle. These injections are usually given over the course of a few months, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor. To keep the Botox in the original site of injection, patients are asked not to touch or massage the areas to protect its potency. “By diminishing the muscle contraction of certain painful areas, the pain will be resolved in an average of 10-14 days with lasting effects for up to 3-6 months on average.” Although Botox is not a cure for TMJ disorder, the effectiveness of Botox for TMJ pain has been shown to greatly reduce symptoms.
Other Options for TMJ Pain
If Botox or other Neuromodulators aren’t in your plans, there are other options that can help with TMJ pain. If a daily prescription that sounds better, muscle relaxants can also help. These drugs help with neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain, as well as depression and trouble with sleep. There are still studies being done for these types of drugs for TMJ pain, however, the efficacy has been shown to reduce pain.
If you’re living with TMJ disorder, and constantly (or even sometimes) in pain, there is help and there are options.
Help for TMJ Pain in Covington, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Atlanta
As dental professionals, we understand how prevalent TMD is and how painful the symptoms can be. Luckily, we have neuromodulator treatments like Botox which can help reduce these pesky symptoms. Contact us today to learn more about it.
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa