You heard that right. More and more treatment options are being discovered to treat all kinds of dental issues, including botox for TMJ, jaw clenching and grinding.
The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. Those with a defectiveness of this joint experience difficulty chewing food and jaw clicking and locking. This condition has been called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) by dentists. Dentists receive many visits from patients complaining of a feeling of pain or other uncomfortable TMD symptoms, this is just not fun at all! This is typically caused by teeth grinding and clenching, doing this will cause a painful feeling in the muscles in the face and can possibly lead to headaches and earaches.
Bruxism is the condition where one will grind their teeth during the night or day. The exact cause of bruxism is unclear to dentists, but researchers have found that several factors trigger bruxism including stress, anxiety, and snoring.
Almost everyone is familiar with Botox, though the common perception is that it’s for cosmetic use. What many aren’t aware of is that Botox has an extra, therapeutic use, and dentists are using it to find significant results when applied to the jaw area. Certain muscles will begin to be relaxed, which can reduce damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. This calming of your upper lip will minimize the appearance of a “gummy smile” and ease your face by getting rid of any feeling of discomfort in your mouth. Bruxism is so common that even our own Dr. Jenna has dealt with it! Botox can assist in the relaxation of the jaw and getting the injections can help with tooth pain or damage from stress and anxiety. A 2020 study shows that botox will help TMJ patients without significant bone changes.
Other benefits of dental botox: along with the immediate relief of dental stress, Botox injections in this area can also lead to pleasing improvements in facial structure, making you appear slimmer with dramatic shape-shifting results. As the muscles soften, the cheekbones will begin to appear more defined allowing the bones in the face to look more pronounced and sculpted.
