During the past few years in our dental practice as a dentist who focuses primarily on TMJ facial pain problems, I have seen a lot of success using Botox injections for TMJ to treat muscle pain and oral nerve pain. Botox is not suitable for every patient, however. Care must be taken as to when to use it, how to use it, and who is a good candidate. If you’re considering Botox as part of your treatment for TMJ problems, jaw pain, pain in or around your teeth, or because of a change in the shape of your jaw, please read on:

6 Important Things You Need To Know About Botox Injections For TMJ

1) Botox is Not a First-Line Treatment for Jaw Muscle Pain

First-line treatment for jaw muscle pain (and spasm or tightness) is dictated by a careful evaluation to identify why you have symptoms in the first place. For example, it may be necessary for you to change some daytime habits, postures and behavioral tendencies that fatigue the jaw and neck muscles. Or if you clench or grind your teeth at night you may need to wear a protective night guard. In addition, you may get relief from medications, home jaw and neck exercises, breathing exercises, meditation, a change in your diet, or all of the above. Muscle injections or dry needling would be next in line along with visits to a physical therapist, chiropractor or osteopath who would work to promote muscle comfort. The bottom line, however, is that you the patient, must participate in the process of getting better and Botox will not produce the desired goals if the underlying reasons for your pain have not been identified and dealt with.

2) If You Currently Wear a Night Guard

If you currently wear a night guard and still have morning symptoms of muscle pain or tightness, joint noises, locking, and/or pain, you may be a good candidate for Botox. This is particularly true if you find yourself biting hard on the guard when you wake up in the morning. Keep in mind however, that Botox will be most helpful if you continue to wear your night guard. Two strategies are better than one in this scenario.

3) If You Can’t Tolerate A Night Guard

If you have simply cannot tolerate a night guard (and have tried various types, with your dentist’s guidance) Botox injections for TMJ may provide meaningful benefit.

4) If Your Jaw Muscles Are Too Big

If your jaw muscles are just too big and visibly over-built, Botox may be an option. One of the predictable things that Botox does is reduce muscle bulk when used over time. Botox has been shown to be effective in producing a flatter and more natural-looking profile.You will likely need three Botox sessions in three-month intervals to achieve the best results. However, jaw bulk may creep back if the reasons your muscles become larger have not been identified and dealt with.

5) Botox Will Not Ease Certain Types Of Muscle Pain

There are times when muscles hurt even though they have not been overused. When life circumstances, emotions or thoughts cause your muscles to tighten and ultimately ache, then Botox injections for TMJ will not likely help. Instead, counseling, talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the like may be the right strategies to pursue.

6) If You Experience Persistent Oral Nerve Pain
Small quantities of Botox may be helpful if you experience persistent pain in your gum tissue, at the site of a tooth or tooth extraction, or at other sites around your face. Nerve pain inside your mouth or in your face is often due to electrical discharge from the trigeminal nerve. Botox injections for TMJ into the painful sites (often called trigger zones) can provide real benefit, especially if you don’t respond well to oral medications. In spite of being relatively new, this type of treatment is showing promise.

In Conclusion

Botox has become a helpful component in the management of TMJ, jaw muscle pain and oral nerve pain problems. The important thing for you, the patient, is to understand that Botox injections for TMJ are not a cure-all. Careful assessment by an experienced practitioner remains the key to making treatment decisions that will result in a long-term positive outcome. If you choose Botox as first-line therapy without understanding the origins of your pain, you will likely be out of pocket quite a bit of money with nothing to show for it.