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Dec
Five FAQs About Botox for TMJ Pain Relief
Living with TMJ pain can affect so much of your daily life, from eating and speaking to even enjoying restful sleep. Often, clenching and grinding can also lead to unwanted headaches. Persistent discomfort is not something anyone should endure, especially when effective, modern treatments are available. Mid-Valley Dental Care understands the impact TMJ pain has on your well-being. Drs. Terence, Casey, and Kayla Lau provide Botox treatment in Northridge, California, to manage TMJ pain.
Here are five things you should know about TMJ Botox treatments.
How does Botox relieve TMJ pain?
Botox isn’t just for aesthetics. It’s an effective therapeutic treatment to relieve TMJ pain. TMJ pain is often caused by overactive jaw muscles (particularly the masseter muscle) that lead to grinding or clenching (also known as bruxism). Bruxism wears down teeth and causes jaw, head, and neck discomfort. Injecting Botox into these overactive muscles relaxes them, preventing the excessive muscle contractions that cause pain. This reduces tension and relieves pressure on the TMJ, making daily functions more comfortable.
What can I expect during treatment?
The treatment is minimally invasive and quick, only taking 20-30 minutes to complete. Once we identify the overactive muscles, the dentist injects the Botox product using a thin needle. The number of injections depends on the treatment areas and severity of your TMJ pain.
After Botox injections, the countdown to a painless lifestyle begins. Typically, patients experience pain relief after 2-3 weeks, which is when the full effects of Botox kick in. This is when the masseter muscle gets the signal to relax, easing out TMJ pain symptoms. Unfortunately, Botox treatment isn’t permanent. Over time, the body metabolizes the product, so you’ll need retreatment every 3 months. Some patients who get regular treatment for 1-2 years are able to achieve enough relaxation of the muscle that they are able to go on a maintenance of injections 1-2 times a year rather than every 3 months. Every patient will respond to treatment differently so this is not guaranteed.
Are there any side effects of Botox for TMJ treatment?
One significant benefit of Botox treatment is that patients experience few to no side effects. Most patients resume their everyday activities after Botox treatment. After the procedure, you might experience swelling and bruising at the injection sites. These discomforts are mild and nothing to worry about as they will subside.
Our team will give you instructions to ensure you enjoy a swift recovery. We’ll advise you to avoid intense physical activity and not touch or rub the treated areas for the first 24 hours, which prevents the product from moving to unintended areas. We’ll also advise you to avoid heat exposure, which means staying away from spas, tanning beds, and direct sun exposure.
Is Botox treatment the only treatment needed?
While Botox can make a significant difference in TMJ pain management, it’s important to remember that it’s just one part of a broader treatment approach. Managing TMJ discomfort may involve a combination of therapies, from stress management techniques to physical therapy, dental appliances, and lifestyle changes. Botox helps relieve muscle tension and pain, but achieving lasting relief may mean incorporating additional strategies to restore comfort and functionality. Every patient is different!
Is Botox treatment for TMJ safe?
Botox is generally safe when administered by trained professionals. Our doctors have training to administer Botox effectively, particularly in treating issues like TMJ pain, where muscle relaxation is the goal. By applying expert knowledge, our doctor ensures that the dosage, injection sites, and technique are optimized for safety and effectiveness. This way, our patients experience relief with a minimized risk of side effects.
Botox treatment for TMJ disorder near me
Don’t let TMJ pain hold you back. Call (818) 886-3500 to schedule an appointment with Mid-Valley Dental Care to explore how Botox treatment relieves pain and restores comfort.
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Terence Lau, DDS, FICOI, FAACP
With more than three decades of education and experience, Dr Terence Lau is a leader in his field. With a Bachelor’s degree in Cell-Molecular Biology from CSUN, he earned his DDS from USC School of Dentistry and received specialized Periodontal Prosthodontics training under experts and pioneers in the field at the University of Washington. He focuses especially on minimally invasive Bio-Aesthetic Implant Surgery, advanced laser dentistry, and more. Dr. Lau is a member of the AGD, ICOI, AO, ACOI, ASO, AAID, AADSM, DOCS, AAFO, and AACFP, and is a nationally recognized lecturer and founder of Bio-Aesthetic Implant and Laser Solutions.
Casey Lau, DDS
Dr. Casey Lau has over 10 years of experience in comprehensive dental care, with an emphasis on minimally invasive bioesthetic dentistry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and his DDS from UCLA. Dr. Lau specializes in occlusion, orthodontics, cosmetic enhancements, and laser dentistry, with expertise in implantology, clear aligner therapy, oral sedation, and much more. He is a member of the AGD, ICOI, AO, ADA, CDA, DOCS, IAO, and AACA. Along with his wife, Dr. Lau co-founded Elims Oral Care, offering eco-conscious oral care products.
Kayla Lau, DDS, RDH
Dr. Kayla Lau started out as a dental hygienist before she earned her DDS from the renowned USC School of Dentistry. Specializing in restorative and aesthetic dentistry, she is highly skilled in using neuromodulators like Botox and dermal fillers to improve orofacial pain relief and facial aesthetics. Dr. Lau is passionate about Biomimetic Restorative Dentistry, having trained with pioneers in the field. She is an active member of the AGD, ADA, CDA, SFVDS, ABD, and IAAFA, committed to enhancing smiles and overall oral health.