THE SMILE AGENCY
BOTOX
Botox Specialist in West Covina and Pasadena, California.
It can be difficult to find relief from symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, like jaw locking and tension. At The Smile Agency Orthodontics & Smile Design in West Covina and Pasadena, California, orthodontist Karen Guinn, DDS, carefully places Botox® injections in your jaw and temples to relieve the muscle tension causing your pain.
To find out more about how Botox treats TMJ disorder, book an appointment by phone or online at The Smile Agency today.
WHAT IS BOTOX?
You might be familiar with Botox as an aesthetic treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. In dentistry, Botox includes a non-cosmetic application that can ease the discomfort in your neck, jaw, and head that is related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
The main ingredient in Botox is a neurotoxin that interferes with certain targeted muscle movements. The drug stops the muscles from flexing and can relieve muscle tension and pain.
During the procedure, Dr. Guinn injects small amounts of Botox into various points on your forehead, jaw, and temples. It takes several days for Botox to take effect, but you can return to your regular daily activities right away.
Dr. Guinn can discuss adding regular Botox injections to your TMJ treatment plan. She might also recommend other treatments for TMJ, including physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and oral splints or mouthguards.
THE SMILE AGENCY
ABOUT TMJ DISORDER
Find Out Some Common Symptoms Associated With TMJ Pain
TMJ pain is pressure, discomfort, or tension affecting your temporomandibular joints. These joints connect your lower jaw to the temples on either side of your head. The joints are responsible for any movements you make with your mouth, whether you’re yawning, chewing or speaking.
Persistent TMJ pain results in a complication called TMJ disorder. You can develop TMJ disorder because of teeth grinding, jaw clenching, misalignment, poor posture, arthritis, and other conditions and behaviors.
Your TMJ pain might come with:
Certain symptoms, like headaches and earaches, might not seem related to your TMJ pain. Still, treatments for TMJ pain at The Smile Agency Orthodontics & Smile Design can help you find relief from them, too.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR A BOTOX TREATMENT?
Expert Dental Care
Before you get Botox at The Smile Agency Orthodontics & Smile Design, you should attend a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Guinn to discuss your symptoms and the goals you’d like to reach with treatment.
During your consultation, Dr. Guinn helps you decide if Botox fits into your treatment plan and if you’re a good candidate for the injections. She also informs you of what to expect from the treatment and any potential side effects.
Dr. Guinn might give you specific instructions to prepare for a successful treatment, like avoiding blood-thinning medications and stopping smoking. Taking these steps can help reduce or eliminate side effects like soreness and bruising from your Botox treatment.