BOTOX®

BOTOX/Xeomin Used in TMJ Therapy

TMJ refers to a disorder of the TMJ joints, which connect your jaw to your skull. When these joints don't function correctly, you may notice: 

• A  clicking or popping sound in the jaw joints
• Painful chewing and yawning
• Limited oral mobility
• Head, neck, and shoulder pain

If your TMJ is related to malocclusion or bruxism (teeth grinding), you may also notice tooth wear and exaggerated musculature in front of the ears. 

BOTOX is a way to treat TMJ by relaxing the muscles that support these joints, curbing bruxism, or simply giving the TMJs a chance to rest and heal. 

Get started by filling out our TMJ or Botox Heath History Questionnaire. 

Many patients have come to our office talking about chronic pain in their jaw and reoccurring tension headaches. Did you know that almost all of “TMJ Pain” is caused by the musculature and not the joint itself? We provide our patients with a comprehensive TMJ examination where we can determine whether or not the pain is caused by the muscles, the joint, or a combination. If the pain and tension headaches are caused by the muscles, Botox/Xeomin or a custom occlusal guard may help treat and/or alleviate your symptoms. When we clench or grind our teeth, this causes the chewing muscles to grow and enlarge. Think of it as lifting weights in your jaw joint all day long! This causes a repetitive cycle where the more you clench the larger the muscles become. Botox/Xeomin works by switching some of the muscle fibers off allowing these muscles to shrink to a normal size, thus prohibiting you from clenching. Don’t worry, you will still be able to eat your favorite foods. It also provides many of our patients with a huge esthetic benefit by making their faces look slimmer!

BOTOX has been used medicinally for decades and for a variety of purposes. From urological surgeries to TMJ treatment and migraines, this injectable has meant relief for countless people over the years.

However, cosmetic enhancement may be the most familiar use of BOTOX. Most patients have heard about its successful use in fine line and wrinkle reduction.

At Doylestown Dental Group, we use this injectable to treat the following signs of aging:

• Forehead lines
• Crow’s Feet
• Lines Between the Brows
• Smile lines
• Bunny lines
• Angry 11 (between eyebrows)

BOTOX is arguably the most common anti-aging injectable available today. It is undoubtedly the treatment patients ask for by name.

We derive BOTOX from the toxin botulinum. However, in its medicinal form, doctors and dentists have successfully used it to treat a wide range of conditions.

Dentists, especially prosthodontists, are maxillofacial experts, which makes them the ideal providers to administer BOTOX in the following capacities:

• To treat migraine headaches
• To treat TMJ (jaw joint issues)
• To treat bruxism (teeth grinding)
• To hide a gummy smile
• To reduce fine lines and wrinkles

BOTOX works by temporarily relaxing specific muscle groups, allowing them to smooth out and relax over time.

For example, if you grind your teeth at night, BOTOX in the jaw area can help stop this nocturnal habit, protecting your teeth from wear and preventing the pain associated with jaw joint conditions, such as migraines and head/shoulder pain.

If you have fine lines and wrinkles, BOTOX helps slacken the underlying muscles. When this occurs, lines and wrinkles can relax. This does not mean your face will look frozen or you’ll be unable to smile. These are mythical associations not grounded in reality.

We encourage you to talk to your Doylestown dentist or book a consultation to learn what BOTOX can do for you.

Consultation and Treatment

BOTOX treatment starts with a consultation in our dental office. If you’re a candidate for treatment, the dentist carefully plans your therapy.

To administer BOTOX, we use a whisper-thin needle and deliver the medicine just beneath the skin. This is more of a mild sting than a poke or injection.

After BOTOX Therapy: What to Expect

After your treatment, you may experience swelling and mild bruising for a few days, but you can treat this with an over-the-counter pain reliever.

BOTOX may continue reducing fine lines and wrinkles for a few weeks after your treatment, and results can last for several months. Likewise, if you undergo BOTOX therapy for an unrelated purpose, such as bruxism, symptoms may continue to lessen over time.

Your dentist will let you know when to return to our clinic for follow-up treatment.

Your Well-Being Is a Priority at Doylestown Dental Group

To book a consultation or to learn more about BOTOX therapy, contact a dental team member today. Remember to ask about any current specials.