Are You Suffering From Jaw Pain or Headaches?

If you struggle with relentless jaw pain or inexplicable headaches or migraines, it is possible that you may be in need of TMJ treatment. Read on to learn more about TMJ treatment in our Orland Park dental office. 

What is TMJ?

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) is a common condition that typically comes along with the following side effects:

• Difficulty opening and closing the jaw
• Jaw pain
• Clicking or popping in the jaw when talking, chewing, or opening and closing the mouth
• Chronic headaches

Let’s take a moment to understand how Botox can actually be an effective therapy to relax the jaw. This means taking a moment to explain the causes of TMJ (your temporomandibular joint). This joint behaves much like a hinge for your mouth, helping you to speak and chew. However, the TMJ is vulnerable to stress — whether that is physical, emotional, or psychological. And when you are feeling stressed, your muscles tend to tense up, causing serious issues for your mouth and jaw:

• Bruxism (teeth clenching/grinding)
• Anxiety
• A misaligned bite
• Arthritis
• Sleep Apnea
• Blunt-force trauma

TMJ Treatment Methods

Here at Absolute Dental, we are happy to offer both Botox and Xeomin injections to treat TMJ.

Non-cosmetic Botox and Xeomin injections work to relax the muscles, block pain signals, and stop the muscles from contracting.

While both options are typically recommended to be used as a complementary treatment method in conjunction with other treatments such as protective night guards or physical therapy, there are many cases in which injections may be all that is needed to successfully treat your TMJ. A consult with our team will help you determine if this treatment method is right for you.

Botox treatments have been thoroughly studied and have been determined to be safe and effective. Approximately 5 million Americans receive Botox treatments annually.

How Treatment Works

To begin, we will conduct a thorough consultation to determine the severity of your condition and how many injections will be needed to successfully treat your TMJ. You will then be planned for treatment.

The injections will likely be administered in several different locations, such as the temple, forehead, or jaw muscles. In most cases, only very slight discomfort is felt during the injections — almost like a bug bite.

In some cases, some patients may experience redness or slight bruising at the injection site. We recommend applying a cold ice pack after treatment if you feel you could use a bit of extra relief.

No special care is needed after the injections are placed so you can go about your normal daily activities. Simply be sure not to rub or massage your face for a few hours.

What to Expect After Treatment

You can expect to notice improvements within 3 to 4 days, though it is important to keep in mind that it may take about a week before the effects are truly noticeable.

Your treatment will last for approximately 3-6 months, after this time is up, we will be glad to see you and take the time to see if further treatment is needed. Also, after multiple treatments, many patients can go for longer periods of time between treatments because the facial muscles “learn” to relax.

• The frequency and intensity of headaches may be reduced or disappear
• You may sleep better
• You’ll be protecting your teeth from the effects of bruxism which include cracked and worn down teeth!
• Sensitive teeth may become less sensitive

What questions do you have for us?

Dr. Singh has been helping patients solve TMJ pain for several years. She has completed advanced training and continually educates herself on the most up-to-date techniques and therapies. If you are experiencing jaw pain and think Botox or Xeomin treatment is right for you, please contact Absolute Dental in Orland Park, IL to set up an appointment for a free consultation.