Injectables for TMD/Bruxism | The Woodlands & Montgomery
Relieve Your Jaw Pain
If you’re struggling with jaw pain and discomfort from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or excessive teeth grinding or clenching, then injectable treatment for TMD or bruxism at Manning Orthodontics can help.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular joint disorder—also known as TMJ disorder or TMD—is a condition in which you experience pain or discomfort associated with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
This joint is located on either side of your head and allows your jaw to move, so dysfunction in this area can lead to pain while chewing, jaw stiffness, and other symptoms, such as:
- Tension headaches
- Pain in the jaw
- Stiffness in the neck or jaw
- Discomfort while chewing
- Clicking jaw
TMD is more than just a jaw problem. Unless you get treatment, you can also suffer from side effects ear pain, muscle spasms, toothaches, or cracked teeth, which will require dental restorations.
Through injectable treatment for TMD and bruxism, you can reduce the severity of headaches, migraines, muscle spasms, and pain.
Get Relief With Neurotoxin Injections
Neurotoxin injectables work by preventing or minimizing muscle contractions and relaxing muscles that you use to grind and clinch: the masseter and temporalis muscles.
While famous for minimizing the appearance of fine lines, neurotoxin injections do more than just smooth wrinkles—they can also relax the muscles in your jaw so that you feel less pain from TMD symptoms. They can also slim overactive facial muscles so that you clench and grind less frequently.
Patients who have received neurotoxin injectables for their TMD or bruxism report snoring less and waking after a more peaceful night's sleep with less facial pain.
Why Injectables for Your TMD/Bruxism Pain
Your TMJ is incredibly sensitive to stress and other outside factors. Anxiety, breathing issues, and other problems can cause:
- Sore cheeks
- Facial swelling
- Pain around your ears
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Ringing in your ears
- Bruxism
- Clicking noises in your jaw.
Because neurotoxins can relax your jaw muscles, these injectables are extremely effective in treating your TMD.
Various studies have shown that this TMD treatment has helped 90 percent of participants reduce the symptoms of TMD and TMD-related pain. You can also alleviate your headaches and prevent dental damage.
How Neurotoxin Injectables Work
Dr. Manning will inject the neurotoxins into the muscles around your head and neck area that are associated with headache and jaw pain. These injections help to block a chemical neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine that carries pain signals.
When injected, neurotoxins relax the masseter and temporalis muscles and help to prevent activation of the pathways in your head and neck that lead to migraine, cluster or tension headaches, and myofascial pain.
What Results Should You Expect
Neurotoxin injectables can help with excessive grinding and clenching. They help to relax the muscles in your jaw, so you can enjoy having fewer headaches, muscle spasms, and joint pain.
Typically, injectable treatments for TMD last for three to four months, but that duration can vary depending on the type of neurotoxin and the severity of your condition.
As an accredited provider by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE), Dr. Manning will determine how many injections you need and where. Once your treatment for TMD is complete, you can return to all of your normal activities. Normally, you’ll start to notice results several days later.
Other TMJ Treatment Options
Orthodontics for TMJ
A common cause of TMJ is having a misaligned bite. When your top and bottom teeth don’t fit comfortably together, it causes unnecessary jaw tension.
In many cases, orthodontics can move your teeth into a more optimal position, eliminating this tension and allowing your teeth to fit properly together.
However, for some patients already receiving orthodontic treatment, additional TMJ treatment may be recommended by your TMJ specialist in The Woodlands and Montgomery.
Splint Therapy for TMJ
One treatment option for TMJ is splint therapy in conjunction with orthodontics.
First, a splint either part-time or full-time to realign your jaw to alleviate symptoms. Then, Dr. Manning will use braces or clear aligners to realign your teeth into the corrected jaw position to alleviate most, or all, TMJ and jaw pain symptoms.
Most patients will continue to sleep in a night guard following splint therapy and orthodontics to protect against nighttime clenching and/or grinding (bruxism).
Find Relief for Your Jaw Pain
If you’re interested in treatment for TMD or cosmetic injections to improve facial esthetics, we can help. To learn more about our options or schedule an appointment with Dr. Manning, book an appointment today.