Facial Aesthetics
If you wake up regularly with headaches or pain and discomfort in your jaw, neck, or shoulders, you may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or bruxism. TMJ disorders are characterized by jaw problems, including clicking or popping in the jaw and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. Bruxism, on the other hand, is when you clench or grind your teeth.
Millions of people have either a TMJ disorder or bruxism, and some people have both. If you have one of these problems, you are not alone. However, that does not mean you shouldn’t seek treatment. TMJ disorders can cause patients unnecessary pain when left untreated, and untreated bruxism can lead to tooth damage and sensitivity.
Treating TMJ and Bruxism with BOTOX and Fillers
While many dentists treat TMJ disorders (also called TMD) and bruxism with night guards or splints, which are very helpful, we can also treat TMJ problems and bruxism with BOTOX, which is just a shorter way of saying “botulinum toxin.” The BOTOX or filler is injected into painful problem areas to provide relaxation and relief.
BOTOX treatments are quick and easy, making them a convenient treatment for TMD and bruxism pain. Of course, your specific treatment depends on your situation and your needs. For best results, your dentist may recommend both a night guard and BOTOX or filler treatments.
How Does BOTOX Provide Pain Relief?
BOTOX and filler injections relieve pain caused by TMJ disorders and bruxism by relaxing the muscles in your face, which prevents jaw tension, clenching, and teeth grinding. This muscle relaxation helps to relieve pain in your jaw, neck, and shoulders, in addition to reducing the occurrence of migraines and headaches. It can also help protect your teeth from damage due to pressure or grinding.
BOTOX for Aesthetic Purposes
While BOTOX treatments are proving effective in treating some dental problems, you are probably more familiar with the use of BOTOX and fillers for aesthetic reasons, usually to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines. That is another popular use for the injections. Many people successfully use BOTOX injections to create a younger look and increase their confidence in their appearance.
If you’re interested in BOTOX or filler treatment, please contact us to schedule an evaluation. We will thoroughly examine your situation so we can target the reason for your jaw pain or teeth grinding and begin treatment.
We look forward to welcoming you to our dental practice.
Highly recommend!
I've had lifelong dental struggles which have resulted in severe anxiety around going to the dentist. The staff at Graham Dental Care were all respectful, non-judgmental, and explained my treatment options (as well as estimated pricing for treatment) to me in detail. Highly recommend!
Amelia R.
Frequently Asked Questions
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) take a lot of wear and tear. Besides chewing, swallowing, and talking, the joints can experience overuse from gum chewing, yawning, and teeth clenching and grinding. If TMJ symptoms affect your quality of life, a dentist can diagnose and treat the problem.
If you experience headaches, neck or jaw aches, clicking or popping in your jaw, pain around your ear, sensitive teeth, or jaw pain when eating or yawning, you may have a TMJ disorder.
Here’s what can lead to TMJ pain:
- Arthritis is common in older adults and can also occur in your jaw joints.
- Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) tightens your facial and jaw muscles and puts stress on your temporomandibular joints. Bruxism can also cause extra wear on your teeth.
- Poor posture causes the muscles of the jaw, neck, and face to tighten, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Trauma to your jaw can lead to a TMJ disorder later on.
- Misaligned teeth may impact your bite and how your joints fit together.
As you can see, decreasing stress, taking care of your oral health, and wearing a night guard are all ways to prevent TMJ pain. If conservative treatments don’t give you relief, talk to your dentist about TMJ surgery.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Jenna Graham
Owner/Dentist
Dr. Jenna Graham graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science. She received her degree from the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans in 2010. She has ...
Dr. Jeremy Graham
Owner/Dentist
Dr. Jeremy Graham received undergraduate degrees from Louisiana State University in both Biology and Chemistry before graduating from the LSU School of Dentistry in 2008. To complete his education, he then pursued a two-year post-graduate surgery ...