If you experience jaw pain and headaches, everyday tasks like eating and speaking can be challenging. Fortunately, some treatments can offer relief. Injectables, such as Botox and Xeomin, can help the jaw muscles relax and relieve discomfort. These treatments typically don’t require downtime after the procedure, can be performed quickly in your dentist’s office, and are considered minimally invasive.
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder is associated with neck pain, headaches, and other discomforts. If you have symptoms of TMJ disorder, talk to your dentist at your next dental exam or feel free to request an appointment. You may benefit from treatments like Botox, night guards, or relaxation techniques.
Jaw Pain, Headaches & TMJ Disorder
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located below your ears and connects your jawbone to your skull. As one of the body’s most complex joints, it enables you to speak, chew, and yawn.
If you have neck pain, headaches, and/or pain or tenderness in your jaw, you may have temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise known as TMD.
What Is TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorder?
TMJ disorder happens when there is a problem with tissues and structures in the temporomandibular joint area. People with TMJ disorder may experience symptoms like:
- Headaches and neck pain
- A noise (such as a pop or click) when you yawn or chew
- Difficulty with opening and closing your mouth
- Pain in the jaw area, face, temples, or around the ear
Why Does TMJ Disorder Happen?
TMJ disorder often happens as a result of several things, including injury or disease of the joint, such as arthritis. If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), this may make TMJ disorder symptoms worse. TMJ disorder may also happen as a result of improperly fitted dentures.
Stress can also contribute to TMJ disorder, but experts aren’t sure whether TMJ disorder is caused by stress or if stress happens because of it.
The good news is that many people recover from TMJ disorder without needing much treatment. However, if your symptoms don’t go away, there are several treatments to consider, ranging from warm or cold compresses and relaxation techniques to orthodontics and injectables.
Botox for TMJ Disorder
“Botox” is the brand name for a neurotoxin released by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. When injected in small quantities, such as the amount used to treat TMJ disorder, the substance can paralyze and relax overly tense muscles, potentially relieving pain.
You may be more familiar with Botox in the context of cosmetic procedures. In Canada, it’s also been approved to treat conditions like chronic migraine and overactive bladder. It’s important to know that Botox treatment, when performed for another purpose (such as cosmetic procedures), will not treat TMJ disorder.
A Botox treatment for TMJ disorder should last 10 to 30 minutes, and you typically need a few treatments over several months. It’s important to understand that Botox is a treatment, not a cure. It’s intended to temporarily relieve symptoms for around 3 to 5 months, but it cannot permanently cure TMJ disorder.
Benefits & Risks
We offer Botox and Xeomin injectable treatment at our clinic in Calgary. Xeomin is a purified form of botulinum toxin type A. Possible benefits of these injectables include:
- Symptom relief from TMJ disorder for several months
- No downtime: you can return to your regular activities right after the procedure
- No incisions are required, making the procedure minimally invasive
- A quick procedure that can be done right in our dental clinic
Like any other medical procedure, Botox injections do carry some risks. Side effects include:
- Facial paralysis, pain, or muscle weakness
- Headache
- Infection, a flu-like illness, or respiratory infection
- Nausea
- Drooping eyelid (this should be temporary)
- Dry mouth
- Double vision
- An allergic reaction
- Redness and bruising
Botox for TMJ disorder is considered a newer, experimental procedure. It hasn’t been approved specifically for TMJ disorder by Health Canada, but it is available as a treatment in Alberta. If you have questions or concerns about Botox, we can further explain the benefits and risks. Remember that Botox is not your only option for treating TMJ disorder.
Other Ways to Treat TMJ Disorder
If you’re not ready to treat TMJ disorder with Botox, you have other options. These include:
- Warm or cold compresses: Apply a compress a few times a day for 20 minutes at a time.
- Dental appliances: Devices like nightguards can help. Talk to your dentist and ask about recommendations.
- Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants can help relieve pain. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a medication, even if it’s available over-the-counter, especially if you take other medications or have other underlying health conditions.
- Physiotherapy: Procedures like massage, intramuscular stimulation, and learning certain exercises and techniques can help. You can call the Rehabilitation Advice Line (1-833-379-0563) or Health Link (811) for more information.
- Lifestyle changes: Avoid chewing on your fingernails or eating hard and sticky foods. You can also learn how to recognize when your jaw is tense and then intentionally relax it.
- Surgery: Often considered a last resort, surgery is normally only recommended if pain does not improve with less invasive treatments.
Get Professional Advice on Jaw Pain & Headaches
If you visit our clinic for your jaw pain, we’ll start by doing a deeper assessment of your oral and jaw health. This may involve taking some X-rays. Our treatment options for TMJ disorder in Calgary include orthodontics, night guards, Botox injections, and more.
If you have symptoms of TMJ disorder, visiting Sundance Dental Clinic is an appropriate first step. Our clinic has served the Calgary community for 35 years, and we strive to empower our patients with education about their care. Book an appointment with us today.
