Botox is well known as a relatively non-invasive way to treat wrinkles and fine lines, but far fewer people realize it can also treat TMJ disorder in Ajax.
What is TMJ Disorder?
The joints connecting your lower jaw to your skull are called your temporomandibular joints. They are very complex and, along with several facial muscles, allow your lower jaw to move up and down, forwards and backwards and from side to side. When your temporomandibular joints work smoothly, you can eat, talk, yawn and swallow pain-free. When your jaw joints, muscles and ligaments operating the temporomandibular joints are not in alignment, it can cause problems resulting in TMJ disorder in Whitby. This disorder can be extremely painful, causing facial, neck and shoulder pain and headaches. The pain can make it difficult to open your mouth comfortably and eat. It can also affect your ears, causing tinnitus.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder can be caused by arthritis and is often a result of bruxism in Pickering, a condition where people clench and grind their teeth. Bruxism places the jaw joints under considerable strain, making them inflamed and painful. Clenching and grinding your teeth can also wear them down excessively, making them chipped and broken. Also, as the teeth wear down, it can result in functional changes to how your teeth bite together, and they may become splayed out and even loose.
Treating TMJ Disorder
One of the traditional ways to treat TMJ disorder is with a custom-made mouth splint that prevents clenching and grinding, helping your jaw joints to relax. However, not everybody finds a mouth splint comfortable to wear; this is where Botox treatment in Oshawa is another option.
Botox treatment in Newcastle works by helping to relieve jaw tension and relaxing the muscles operating the temporomandibular joints so you can no longer unconsciously clench your jaws. Botox blocks the nerve signals that cause unwanted muscle movements, resulting in less painful jaws and relief from chronic headaches.
Using Botox therapeutically can also help protect dental restorations. People with bruxism often need restorative dentistry such as crowns, veneers or dental implants in Bowmanville. These restorations could be damaged if they still clench and grind their teeth, and Botox helps prevent this from occurring.
What to Expect If You Have Botox Injections for TMJ Disorder?
Botox is administered using very fine needles, and our dentists know exactly how each facial muscle works using minimal amounts of Botox to provide maximum benefit. The procedure is quite quick, and it usually takes two or three weeks to feel the full effects of Botox for TMJ disorder in Clarington.
How Long Will Botox Last?
The effects of the injections can last between six and nine months before they begin dissipating. However, many people who receive Botox injections regularly for TMJ disorder in Courtice will start to notice that they need a top-up less frequently. Some people may not even require repeat treatments.
Is Botox Treatment Safe?
Botox treatment is a very safe procedure, but as with any dental treatment, there is always a small level of risk. We take extensive precautions at Durham Dental Solutions to minimize these risks by ensuring we only prescribe Botox for situations where it is appropriate. Before recommending Botox, we will need to assess your dental health, and we must review your medical history. We must know about any medications used before treatment. The actual procedure is very safe, and it’s extremely rare to have any complications. Some people may notice slight bruising around the injection sites, but the bruising should heal within a few days.
