How Can Botox Address Your Dental Problems?

You may recognize Botox®, or botulinum toxin, as a wrinkle reducer. Surprisingly, it has proven to be highly effective for more than just smoothing fine lines. Because Botox relaxes your facial muscles, it can relieve pain in your mouth and jaw, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder causes discomfort while chewing and can make it difficult to open and close your mouth. 

Karen Guinn, DDS at The Smile Agency of Pasadena, CA is an experienced and creative cosmetic and general dentist who can help you to mitigate painful symptoms affecting your daily life. Botox injections offer a simple and beneficial solution to address muscular jaw pain and provide effective relief from common TMJ symptoms. 

Botox is a naturally-occurring compound that temporarily interrupts communication between your nerves and muscles. While it’s more recognizable as a cosmetic treatment, it is also used to address several medical concerns, some of which are dental.

Botox has been clinically proven to be a powerful therapy for dental conditions like TMJ. By injecting the solution directly to the areas in which you are experiencing pain, we can help decrease your pain significantly. 

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located on both sides of your head where the jawbone meets the skull. It assists everyday activities like talking, eating and swallowing. If the joint becomes overworked through excessive teeth grinding or if it becomes displaced, you may experience tension headaches, sharp pain, or severe jaw tension.  

Botox treatments are a quick and effective option that removes any need for surgery. We always begin with a consultation to determine if you’re a good candidate for any of our customizable treatments. If you haven’t responded to more conservative treatments, you may find relief from muscular jaw pain with Botox. 

Dr. Guinn applies a topical numbing cream to the area to prevent any discomfort while we administer your Botox at our Pasadena or West Covina office.

The in-office treatments usually take about 10-30 minutes. Over the next several days, you should feel less pain as your jaw muscles begin to relax. Some patients have show immediate relief of the debilitating pain they’ve been experiencing. 

There is no downtime, and you can return to your regular activities immediately following treatment. Be careful to avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours following the procedure. If you have questions about how long you have to wait to play sports, or to participate in any other high-energy activity, Dr. Guinn is happy to assist. 

Reducing hyperactivity of the jaw by relaxing related muscles breaks your chronic pain cycle and effectively treats sharp or aching pain. Botox isn’t a permanent solution, but results last anywhere from three to 12 months. Botox appointments can be scheduled recurringly as needed. 

Some common side effects associated with Botox treatments include: 

1. Headaches 
2. Temporary nausea 
3. Respiratory infection 
4. Flu-like symptoms 
5. Redness at the injection site 
6. Muscle weakness 
7. Bruising around the treated area 
8. Pain at the spot of injection

If you think that Botox may be a good option for your TMJ, call our office or book an appointment online.