TMJ Treatment
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint and is used to describe dysfunction or disorders related to the joint. “Temporo,” refers to the temple area of the skull; “mandibular,” refers to the lower jaw; and “joint” is essentially where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a trauma, misalignment of the teeth, or excess muscle tension. The two bones that meet at the jaw are buffered by cartilage and five different muscles, so TMJ can cause a variety of troubles.
Common TMJ symptoms:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Pain in the jaw muscles
- Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face
Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, and more. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If TMJ is left untreated and reaches extremes, surgery may be required to repair the badly damaged joint.
While many recognize Botox® as a solution to aging skin and wrinkles, it can also help relieve symptoms of TMJ disorder. When injected into the head and neck muscles that are creating facial pain caused by TMJ disorder, Botox works to block the nerve signals in these areas and relax the muscles. This reduces their movement and helps eliminate soreness and pain. Headaches, teeth grinding, jaw lock and stress can also be greatly reduced due to the jaw tension relief created by Botox treatment. Botox is approved by the FDA as a preventive treatment for migraines and is offered to patients 18 years of age or older.