Relief From TMJ Pain
How Does Botox Treat TMJ?
What is Botox - is it Safe?
Botox is a neurotoxin that is used to relax the muscles. It was first approved by the FDA for use on eye conditions in 1989. Botox treatment is currently used for a variety of cosmetic procedures as well as for the alleviation of pain.
Botox Benefits
Reduction or Elimination of Painful TMJ Symptoms
- Headache – Headaches – including migraines – are a common symptom of TMJ. The headaches associated with grinding (bruxism) and involuntary jaw movement should be reduced or eliminated
- Lockjaw – Lockjaw symptoms are reduced or eliminated through the relaxing of the muscles of the TMJ joint
- Jaw Pain – TMJ pain is often caused by inflammation. Botox can reduce the inflammation and, as a result, the pain
Key Functions Involving Your Jaw are Unaffected
Botox for TMJ Injection Procedure
Dental Exam and Assessment
Botox Injections
The quantity and location of injections will vary by patient. Usually, there is an injection in the temporalis (a muscle in the temporomandibular joint), the frontalis muscle (forehead), and the masseter muscle in your lower jaw that supports chewing.
TMJ Injections Aftercare
Botox for TMJ Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does it Take for TMJ Botox to Work?
The Botox will start to relieve some symptoms almost immediately - typically 24 to 48 hours. The desired results of maximum pain relief will be experienced within about a week or so.
How Long do TMJ Injections Last?
The positive results from a TMJ injection will last up to 3 months. After that, the effectiveness of Botox for pain relief will wane.
Do TMJ Injections Hurt?
The injection can be compared to a mild pinprick.
If you have dental anxiety, we have sedation dentistry options to keep you relaxed through all of your procedures - including TMJ injections, like Nitrous Oxide.
What are the Risks of Not Getting Treated for My TMJ?
There are many treatments available for TMJ - including Botox injections. Coming in for a dental exam at our office will reveal which treatment makes the most sense for you.
Not getting treatment for your chronic TMJ can cause serious dental issues down the road.
The teeth grinding that is associated with TMJ can lead to more serious dental problems. Grinding wears down and weakens teeth. This can lead to tooth infections and potentially tooth loss. Tooth loss leads to more complex dental problems that require more invasive treatments - like dental implants or root canals.
Is TMJ for Botox Covered By Insurance?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance providers will not cover Botox for TMJ procedures. It doesn't hurt to double-check though, and we're happy to do that. We are insurance experts and you can call us with your plan information - we'll let you know for sure whether your plan covers this treatment.
How Much Do Botox Injections for TMJ Cost?
The cost will vary by the needs of each patient. Unfortunately, it isn't possible for us to determine your cost without you first coming in for an exam with our dentist.
We do offer extremely flexible payment options - cash, credit, and financing through CareCredit. We also have an in-house dental plan which can help cover the cost of many dental services.
