Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

If a disorder exists with this joint, it can make eating, talking and even yawning painful. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can be relatively minor or extremely debilitating. There may be many reasons for a TMJ disorder: clenching or grinding of the teeth, tightening jaw muscles, disease or injury can cause problems with your TM joint. These disorders can display a variety of symptoms including:

Clicking or popping of the joints.
Tender or painful jaw muscles.
Difficulty or pain upon open or closing the mouth.
Frequent headaches or neck aches.
Pain in the TM joint.
Ringing or buzzing sound in the ears.
Sensation of stuffiness, pressure blockage or pain in the ears.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Decreased jaw opening.

The cause of TMJ dysfunction may involve the muscles of the joint, the bite or the joint itself.

TMJ Disorders can be caused by:

Stress on the surrounding muscles.
Teeth clenching or grinding also known as bruxism.
Stress, poor posture or body alignment can cause the muscles surrounding the joint to tighten or spasm.
Abnormal jaw growth.
Missing teeth.
Diseases such as arthritis.

The balance between the muscles and TM joint is an important one in preventing and treating TMJ disorders. If left untreated, muscles and joints that do not work well together may become trapped in a cycle of spasms and cause further injury to the joint, muscles and surrounding tissue.

Treatment of TMJ Disorders

There are many surgical and nonsurgical treatment options or a combination of treatments that can help restore normal function. In some cases, relief from discomfort can come from self-care techniques under the direction of your surgeon.

Botox Treatment for TMJ

If you suffer from severe tension headaches or sharp pain in your jaw, Botox may help.

The temporomandibular joint is located on both sides of the head, at the point where the jawbone meets the skull and is used during talking, eating and swallowing. When this joint becomes displaced or if it is overworked through excessive teeth grinding, you can experience tension headaches or sharp pain in your jaw. At Interface London, we can help eliminate your pain through the use of Botox.

Contrary to what most people think, Botox is not just meant for the prevention of fine lines and wrinkles. It can be used in dental offices as an alternative treatment for TMJ. This can include sleep bruxism, clenching, grinding and headaches, and those who receive Botox injections can feel relief from their pain. You may also notice significant improvements in your ability to open your mouth because Botox can help relieve jaw tension, which may decrease the number of headaches you experience and the severity of your pain.

We will discuss the effects of Botox and how it can help and address all of your concerns. We will also answer any questions you may have and will tell you all about the advantages of this treatment for TMJ. Botox blocks nerve signals that cause uncontrollable muscle movements, which can relax your muscles and the frequency of this treatment may depend on the severity of your condition, so this, too, is something we will discuss.

Botox treatments for TMJ are very effective, as these injections may provide you with relief. Your facial muscles will likely not be able to engage in problematic grinding, so you may be able to talk, chew and swallow comfortably. Additionally, this treatment can also prevent worn down teeth and damaged gums, so your dental health may improve as well.

If you are interested in trying Botox for facial pain, we can help determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate for this treatment. If you are in London, Ontario, contact us today!