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Botox for Jaw Clenching

botox jaw clenching

The act of jaw clenching is more common than you think. According to the American Sleep Association, this condition affects 10% of the adult population in the US alone. For anyone who is experiencing this condition, or know someone who is, you might be in search of a lasting treatment to correct this condition. There is one potential treatment that is stirring up as much interest and curiosity, and that’s botox. 

If you are looking for a solution to jaw clenching, take time to learn about botox as a treatment option. 

Botox for Jaw Clenching

Botox is a breakthrough treatment option used for jaw clenching or teeth grinding. It works by injecting the botox directly into the muscle, specifically on the lower quadrant of the face. This process is meant to relieve the pressure on your facial muscles. This injection will take approximately 24 to 72 hours to set and for you to see the effect. In some cases, it can take as long as 5 days. 

clenching teeth

Botox is a cosmetic procedure that is administered to over 6 million people every year. This injection introduces a neurotoxin known as botulinum toxin (botox, for short) into your muscles. In the cosmetic industry, botox is intended to remove wrinkles by promoting paralysis of the muscles. 

Recently, botox has been used to treat a wide range of conditions such as migraines, bowel disorders, and muscular disorders. Only certified professionals should perform the injections to ensure correct procedures are followed.

Treating TMJ with Botox – What We Know

The study on the use of botox to fix jaw clenching is still in its early stages. There are no adverse effects reported from the studies on botox for jaw clenching to date. People looking for a non-invasive procedure are beginning to look to botox as a method to alleviate pain and discomfort. 

The one thing that you need to consider, though, is that make sure it is administered by a trained expert. While there are no known side effects yet, it is important that they are administered in proper dosages to avoid side effects, if any. 

It is also important to keep your options open when it comes to other treatments for jaw clenching. There are many non-surgical treatments available if you want to avoid surgery. Take time to learn about the pros and cons of each treatment procedure to see which one can bring effective relief.

TMJ Treatment Methods

There are a variety of treatment methods available to address issues of jaw clenching. If you are dealing with pain, an extensive TMD treatment can address the issues. If left untreated, jaw clenching and its after-effects can cause pain when talking or eating. 

There are a variety of conventional treatments available for jaw clenching with a combination of non-surgical treatment procedures. You should be relieved to know that jaw clenching can be treated without undergoing surgery. Splinting is the first treatment option that experts recommend. It involves placement of a plastic guard on the upper or lower teeth (whichever is affected), in order to let the muscles around your jaw relax. Wearing a plastic mouth guard can keep your from clenching your jaw involuntarily. 

Another treatment method used is through physical therapy. A variety of physical therapy exercises can be done such as biofeedback, ultrasound treatments, and stretching. The goal is to promote movement in your jaw joints so you can increase range of motion. These methods are often accompanied by drug therapy. An anti-inflammatory medication or relaxing medication can offer relief.

In the worst case scenario, experts recommend surgical treatments for the treatment of TMJ related symptoms. The specific type of surgery performed will vary based on the doctor’s recommendation. Arthroscopy and open joint surgery are two common surgical treatments for those suffering from jaw clenching. Other cutting-edge treatments like trigger-point injection and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can also provide relief. 

Use of Botulinum Toxin in Dentistry 

The use of botox has grown tremendously over the past few years. In fact, a growing number of dentists use it in their dental practice to address a variety of oral and cosmetic use. Most of the botox applications in dentistry are for therapeutic uses, though. 

This neurotoxin protein is designed to inhibit the release of acetylcholine. When this happens, it causes an interruption in the contraction process of the muscle. If stronger doses are used, it can also eliminate the contraction. The temporary muscle paralysis is a common treatment approach in dentistry that aids in jaw clenching and the pain associated with it. 

If you have joint or facial pain around the jaw area due to clenching, you can take to your dentist about the possibility of using botox. 

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