TMJ can cause clicking and locking of the jaw, difficulty chewing, and jaw pain in many cases. There are different causes of TMJ that include everything from personal habits to genetic issues. There may not be a cure for TMJ, but there are treatments such as Botox injections that can minimize the symptoms and make the disorder easier to live with.
If left untreated, TMJ can cause permanent damage to your teeth and joints due to grinding and tension. This can cause the symptoms to get worse or even cause a loss of functionality. In some cases, serious medical procedures must be performed to attempt to reverse the damage.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is a medication that is derived from the toxin that causes botulism. While botulism can be quite harmful as a disease, low doses of purified Botox has many uses to treat a wide range of problems involving muscle conditions and even minimizing wrinkles.
Botox has the ability to relax and paralyze muscles where injected and can cause the jaw muscles involved with TMJ to relax. This can help reduce pain and increase functionality in an FDA approved manner.
Who Can Botox Help?
There are many other ways to treat the symptoms of TMJ that are recommended before attempting to try Botox. Some of these treatments include non-medical means like lifestyle changes and learning to reduce stress. If these methods do not work, Botox may be a viable option for your TMJ related symptoms.
Botox injections can help achieve the goal of creating a positive outcome through safe and relatively non-invasive methods.
How Does Someone Prepare for TMJ Botox Injections?
Before deciding on receiving Botox to treat TMJ, a thorough exam must take place in order to know if you’re a good candidate. It’s also important to know the risks involved with the procedure.
If there are any questions or concerns about the procedure, you can ask during this exam. Your options will be reviewed to see if there are different options that might be more appropriate for your condition. Depending on your health, current medications and supplements, and your individual goals, Botox injections might not be what a medical professional recommends.
What To Expect
Botox injections are not a surgical procedure, so recovery time is minimal. The patient is first made comfortable before the Botox is injected directly into the affected muscles. The pain is minimal and the procedure is relatively quick.
If the procedure is effective and the muscle is weakened, you may see improvements in pain, speaking, jaw movement, and other symptoms of TMJ in about 1 to 7 days. Many patients can go weeks or even months without having to get additional Botox treatments.
Contact AZ-TMJ Today
TMJ disorder is uncomfortable and can interfere with everyday parts of life. Using Botox to treat TMJ could be a great way for you to minimize the symptoms of the frustrating disorder.
If you would like to learn more about treating TMJ with Botox, you can schedule an exam to see if the procedure is right for you. Call Dr. Farrell for a consultation at 480-945-3629 today.
