Grind Your Teeth at Night? Botox Might Help

You’ve probably heard of Botox® for cosmetic purposes, but did you know it is also used for other indications, including bruxism (teeth grinding) and TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)?

How does Botox work for TMJ?

Botox reduces the activity of facial muscles. Since its primary function is to relax facial muscles, it can help relieve pain from tight jaws and other facial muscles that cause tension and headaches.

Does Botox work for TMJ disorders (TMD)?

Your temporomandibular joint acts as a hinge for your mouth, letting you eat and talk freely. When you have TMJ disorder, the muscles around your jaw are often in a state of hypertrophy (strong and tense) due to grinding during your sleep. As a result, you may experience:

• Sore cheeks and jaw

• Teeth clenching or grinding

• Neck and shoulder pain

• Tension headaches

• Ear pain

• Tinnitus

Botox helps relax tense jaw muscles and alleviate pain in patients suffering from TMJ disorder symptoms. It’s typically recommended as a complementary treatment to other TMJ disorder therapy, but Botox may be all you need for specific symptoms!

The great thing about Botox is that it can last up to 3-6 months for most patients.

Does Botox for TMJ disorder change face shape?

Botox for TMJ disorder may change your face shape – in a positive way, of course!

When your jaw muscles are tensed and overworked, it may cause your face to look wider. Botox helps to lessen the appearance of your jaw muscles and simultaneously alleviate pain from clenching! In turn, it slims your face and restores youthfulness. Many would consider this a cosmetic bonus on top of therapeutic relief.

Is Botox for TMJ disorder covered by insurance?

Many insurance companies cover Botox treatment when used for bruxism and TMJ. It takes several weeks for insurance plans to process the paperwork, but once this is done, it allows you to have regular Botox injections every 3-6 months for maintenance.

Contact one of the clinics for more information regarding a free consultation about this therapeutic treatment.