Key Takeaways
- Botulinum toxin injections for TMJ pain may help provide pain relief and alleviate other symptoms affecting your jaw and headaches.
- Effective for chronic pain arising from grinding. Instead of taking medications daily, botulinum toxin can reduce the reliance on painkillers.
- Botox injections can take 10 to 30 minutes to perform by qualified personnel.
- Botox injections for TMJ typically lasts between three to five months, and you may see results within one to three weeks.
While botox is well-known for managing wrinkles, it is now used to treat various concerns that extend beyond cosmetic reasons. Botox for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and myofascial pain has been gaining traction as a complementary therapy to help alleviate symptoms affecting your jaw and facial muscles.
What is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?
The jaw has two TMJs, one on each side of your face, positioned slightly ahead of the ears. The TMJs are what connect the lower jawbone to the skull and allow for jaw movements like chewing and talking. There is also an articular disc located between the jawbone and the skull that enables the TMJs to move smoothly and is held in place by surrounding ligaments and muscles.
Some people may experience unpleasant symptoms affecting the TMJs, though the exact cause varies depending on various risk factors. If you are afflicted with a TMJ disorder, you might experience jaw pain, stiffness in the jawbone, limitation of mouth opening, clicking when you move your jaw, pain at the joints and even headaches. Most patients suffer from TMJ disorders due to frequent teeth clenching or grinding, a condition called bruxism. In rarer cases, trauma to the jaw or TMJ or autoimmune or even tumours may cause pain and dysfunction. It is important to seek a qualified clinician to find the etiology of your pain.
What is Botox?
Botox is a brand of neurotoxin protein called botulinum toxin derived from the Botox type A bacteria. Other brands that are commonly used by clinicians are Xeomin and Dysport.
How Botox Treats TMJ Disorder?
Botulinum toxin is typically injected into specific muscles, temporarily blocking the nerves that control the muscles, reducing the muscle’s ability to contract. When used to treat TMJ dysfunction, botox temporarily reduces the strength of the masseter muscles (or chewing muscles) and prevents them from being overworked. As a result, it helps to provide pain relief, as well as alleviate other symptoms affecting the TMJs throughout its duration.
Botox injections are performed by qualified clinicians, such as an oral surgeon, who can inject the Botox in the correct position and relieve TMJ dysfunction symptoms. In some cases, Botox is not the only solution, and you may need additional procedures to treat the pain if your TMJ disorder is quite severe.
What Is The Process Like For Botulinum Toxin Injections During My Visit?
A Botox injection for TMJ is a minimally invasive procedure that is typically performed on an outpatient basis and usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. First visits will take longer, from 45min to an hour as your doctor will assess the condition of your TMJs and outline what you can expect during the session. This includes potential minor side effects and the number of injections required. In most cases, Botox injections will be directed to the jaw muscles and/or temples, based on your doctor’s assessment. You can use this initial consultation to ask questions and address any doubts or concerns you may have.
During your Botox session, your doctor will prepare the Botox injection and administer it at the predetermined injection sites. You may experience mild discomfort during the injection, so the doctor will ease the discomfort by using numbing cream or cold packs.
The results may take a few days to become noticeable, so be sure to follow your doctor’s care advice to facilitate your recovery. To minimize the risk of side effects, avoid rubbing or massaging the injection sites for the next five days post-treatment. You should avoid strenuous activities such as running or swimming on the same day.
Why Choose Botulinum Toxin injections for TMJ or Myofascial Pain?
Many TMJ disorders or myofascial pain are caused by bruxism in patients. The incessant grinding and clenching results in chronic pain in their TMJs, jaw and lead to headaches. Many patients turn to painkillers and in some cases, the patients take painkillers frequently in order to function in their daily lives.
Although Botox is not a permanent treatment, its duration lasts for three to five months and hence can reduce the reliance on painkiller consumption. Many studies have shown that Botox can help to manage TMJ disorder symptoms and myofascial pain. It can also reduce destruction to your teeth from the excessive grinding forces. Your doctor will determine what is most suitable for your needs after the initial consultation.
What to Expect from Botulinum for TMJ
How Long Does Botulinum for TMJ Lasts?
Botox injections for TMJ typically lasts between three and five months. You may start seeing results within one or up to three weeks after your session.
Since this is not a permanent treatment method, Botox injections can help to manage your TMJ disorder symptoms. Once the pain or TMJ symptoms are reduced, the frequency or visits to your doctor may be reduced (usually after 2 years of therapy) Your doctor will determine what is most suitable for your needs.
Combining Botox with Other TMJ Treatment Options
Some treatment options that may be required with Botox injections include:
- Pain management prescriptions
- Mouthguard
- Physiotherapy
- Stress management (to minimize teeth grinding and other harmful behaviours)
For severe cases of TMJ disorders, joint surgery may be recommended to address more severe conditions that may be debilitating to your daily life, including persistent severe TMJ pain, limitation of function and other adverse conditions.
To learn more about Botox injections for TMJ, contact TES Clinic today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Botulinum Toxin for TMJ cost?
The cost of Botox for TMJ can only be discussed during the initial consultation. Feel free to contact us so we can arrange an appointment and provide you with additional information about our Botox treatments for TMJ.
Who is eligible for Botulinum Toxin for TMJ?
Botox for TMJ is considered safe for adults, but a thorough medical examination is necessary to ensure you are an eligible candidate for this treatment. Pregnant or breast-feeding women are advised not to undergo Botox treatments to prevent health complications.
What is the general outlook if I undergo Botulinum Toxin for TMJ?
As long as you follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions, Botox for TMJ should proceed without significant complications. Keep your doctor informed in case anything changes to ensure they can stay on top of complications that may arise. Once the pain or TMJ symptoms are reduced, the frequency or visits to your doctor may be reduced (usually after 2 years of therapy).
Meet Dr Seah
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr Seah Tian Ee is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with a special interest in facial aesthetic procedures and the correction of jaw anomalies.
He was the scholarship recipient of the Health Manpower Development Programme in 2009 and trained in the United Kingdom for facial aesthetic surgery.
Dr Seah is the course director for the “Botulinum Toxin Injection Workshop” for the Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Singapore; and is a lecturer and instructor at the annual “International Cadaver Workshop on Facial Contouring & Maxillofacial Aesthetic Surgery” in Korea.
His clinical interests are in the areas of combined rhinoplasty and orthognathic surgery, non-surgical and surgical facial aesthetic procedures, treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders and oral-maxillofacial pathology. He also does routine oral surgery such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implants etc.