Our Arlington Heights dentist office offers both Botox Cosmetic and Botox Therapeutic to meet the various needs of our patients. Botox Cosmetic is meant to address fine lines and wrinkle development while Botox Therapeutic is used to target specific muscle groups causing jaw pain. Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about Botox Therapeutic and how it can help relieve TMJ-related symptoms below.
How can Botox help with my TMJ disorder?
TMJ pain is often associated with the amount of tension being held in your jaw. If you have a history of jaw clenching or teeth grinding, you are more likely to develop TMJ-related symptoms. Botox Therapeutic is similar to Botox Cosmetic in that it is an injectable treatment option. To treat TMJ pain, Botox injections are administered into the jaw muscles. The injection will relax your jaw muscles enough to make them less tense and alleviate symptoms such as pain or aching sensitivity without interfering with day-to-day activities. The procedure will only take about 20 minutes. The results will appear around 7-14 days after treatment, lasting for up to 6 months.
What other treatment options are available for TMJ disorders?
Treatment plans for TMJ disorders are highly dependent on the underlying dental concerns contributing to your jaw tension. Dr. Engelberg can evaluate your smile and come up with a treatment plan that best meets your unique needs. Often, patients are likely to develop TMJ disorders if they have a history of teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Others may develop a TMJ disorder due to a dental concern causing bite misalignment.
If you have missing teeth, crooked teeth, overbite, or an underbite, the added strain to your dental structures while performing daily tasks like chewing or speaking could lead to the development of a TMJ disorder. In addition to Botox Therapeutic, Dr. Engelberg offers oral appliance therapy, bite correction therapy, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry solutions to treat patients with TMJ disorders.
My jaw hurts right now. What can I do?
If you suspect you are suffering from TMJ-related symptoms, try taking over-the-counter pain medication to reduce any pain or discomfort. Holding a cold compress over the affected area will help reduce any inflammation in your jaw joints. Avoid chewing excessively crunchy or sticky foods until your pain has subsided. Stretching your jaw around can help reduce the amount of tension being held in your joints. Laying flat on your back is the best position to rest your jawbone. Report any jaw pain that you experience to your dentist so that they can offer you a treatment plan and reduce the occurrence of your symptoms.
If you are looking for a dentist in Arlington Heights who offers Botox Therapeutic and other TMJ treatment options, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Engelberg.