As if We Needed More Reasons to Love BOTOX® Therapy: Treatment of TMJ Disorder and Jaw Tension

By Kathleen Hauser

Published on August 09, 2007

By now, most everyone is familiar with the benefits of BOTOX® therapy for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. In fact, BOTOX® treatments have become among the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States because they so effectively combat the signs of aging. But did you know that some dentists are now certified to use BOTOX® injections as a solution for the effects of jaw tension, including TMJ disorder?

Stress, fatigue, and even depression have been linked to jaw muscle tension. This, in turn, can lead to a number of painful and debilitating conditions, such as bruxism (grinding of the teeth), clenching of the jaw, and pain in the neck, ears, and shoulders. Not only can grinding and clenching cause severe physical discomfort, but these habits can also cause extreme damage to the teeth, which can be painful and costly to remedy.

Another risk associated with overly tense jaw muscles is damage to the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. In the past, doctors have relied on TMJ and bruxism treatments such as orthotic mouthpieces, anti-anxiety medications, and physical therapy to provide patients with relief. Unfortunately, while some patients did enjoy moderate success with these solutions, none of them effectively treats the true source of the patients’ discomfort—tense jaw muscles.

Enter BOTOX® therapy. BOTOX® injections block nerve impulses to actually weaken or paralyze the affected jaw muscles, putting an almost immediate end to patients’ tension troubles. A single treatment can bring relief for up to four months. Some patients even find that the troublesome muscles begin to atrophy after a few sessions, so injections can be performed increasingly less often and may eventually become unnecessary.

BOTOX® injections target only the problematic jaw muscles, so surrounding muscles are left intact and jaw function is uncompromised. In fact, most patients who undergo BOTOX® therapy as a treatment for jaw tension or TMJ disorder find that functionality increases when the pain of opening and closing their jaw goes away.

While some patients may feel that the cost of BOTOX® injections is not worth the risk of undergoing a relatively new treatment, the vast majority of people who undergo BOTOX® jaw therapy are extremely satisfied with the results. In a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, two-thirds of patients found BOTOX® therapy curative of their TMJ symptoms after only one session.

Millions of Americans are currently using BOTOX® therapy injections to help them look better, and now they can use the same treatment to help them feel better, as well. If you suffer from TMJ or jaw tension and are tired of “solutions” that aren’t really solutions at all, contact your dentist today and ask about BOTOX® injections. This could very well be the relief you have been dreaming of!

* BOTOX is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.