Temporomandibular joint disorders, also known as TMD, can leave you with painful jaw symptoms, impacting your health and quality of life. Dr. Rick and his patient-centered team at Dr. Rick Dentistry are pleased to offer Botox treatments to relax your jaw muscles, providing relief that can last for months. We are committed to providing you with a patient experience that exceeds your expectations.

What Are Temporomandibular Joint Disorders?

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located in front of your ears, are the joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. They help you move your jaw forward, backward, up, down, and side to side, allowing you to chew, talk, swallow, and yawn. TMD can lead to clicking, popping, grinding, and severe pain when you open or close your mouth.

Symptoms of TMD also include headaches, facial or neck pain, swelling of the face or jaw, and ringing in the ears. Patients sometimes experience jaw locking, and their upper and lower teeth may not fit together properly. The pain is sometimes worse during sleep, when chewing, or when stressed.

Determining the causes of TMD can be challenging, but they may be linked to several factors. These include genetics, injury from a blow to the face or head, joint wear and tear, an uneven bite, or even stress. Some people with TMJ pain also clench or grind their teeth through the night, a condition known as bruxism.

How Can Botox Relieve Your Jaw Pain?

Botox has long been known for its remarkable results in relaxing fine lines and wrinkles. Today, it continues to grow in popularity as a safe and incredibly effective solution for relieving the symptoms of chronic TMD. The injectable neurotoxin, which is derived from botulinum toxin type A, is injected gently into targeted muscles, temporarily relaxing them. This helps provide significant TMD symptom relief, especially for patients with TMD resulting from nighttime teeth grinding and clenching or stress disorders.

What Happens During Treatment?

Botox treatments for TMD are quick, easily fitting into your busy schedule. Dr. Rick will use ultra-fine needles to inject Botox into targeted muscles with minimal pain or discomfort. This helps relax the muscles, providing TMD symptom relief. You will need no downtime, meaning you can return to your daily activities right away.

What Results Can You Expect?

Some patients report results after just one treatment, while others require a series of Botox injections for the best results. In general, the most noticeable outcomes appear about a week or two after treatment, and can last 4-6 months. Touch-up treatments will ensure you continue to enjoy lasting relief. The good news is that with ongoing treatments, your jaw muscles will become trained to relax, meaning you will need fewer future touch-ups.

Botox for TMD Near Me in Scottsdale, AZ

If you are seeking a non-surgical solution to alleviate jaw discomfort associated with TMD, contact Dr. Rick Dentistry to schedule a consultation. Dr. Rick may recommend Botox injections to get you on track to a pain-free smile. We invite you to call our Scottsdale practice at 480-585-4244 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!