Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder) is a condition that affects the jaw joint. This intricate joint plays a huge role in several oral functions, including talking, chewing, and swallowing. Patients can experience a wide range of uncomfortable and painful symptoms when there is an issue with the joints, muscles, or tendons in this area.
Dr. Williamson offers a variety of treatment options to reduce the symptoms of your TMJ disorder. The aim of our TMJ treatment is to find the root of your TMJ dysfunction. As a result, our team at Hillsborough Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can create a TMJ treatment plan to restore the function of your jaw joint.
TMJ Disorder: Potential Causes
You can develop a TMJ disorder for multiple reasons. In fact, it can often be the result of a combination of factors. We will identify the causes of your pain and create a treatment plan that may include restorative procedures to address your symptoms.
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding and Clenching): Bruxism is a common habit that involves the involuntary grinding and clenching of teeth. This can often happen during sleep. Over time, bruxism can exert excessive pressure on the TMJ. It can lead to pain and inflammation.
- Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety can lead to increased muscle tension in the jaw and facial area. This tension can result in clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. As a result, this can worsen TMJ disorder symptoms.
- Trauma or Injury: Physical trauma to the jaw or TMJ can damage the structure of the joint.
- Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the jaw joint, leading to pain and dysfunction.
- Misaligned Teeth: Problems with how the upper and lower teeth fit together can put stress on the jaw joint.
Using Botox for Treatment
Many people are familiar with Botox for its cosmetic applications. However, it has many different therapeutic uses, including dentistry. Botox treatment for TMJ disorder involves the targeted injection of small amounts of Botox into specific jaw muscles. At our Hillsborough dental office, we use Botox to provide welcome relief for our patients suffering from the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorder.
Botox works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals to the muscles where it’s injected. When used therapeutically for TMJ treatment, it relaxes the muscles responsible for jaw clenching and grinding. As a result, this reduces the strain on the jaw joint. When the muscles relax, Botox can alleviate the pain associated with TMJ disorder. Many patients at our office experience a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of jaw pain and headaches.
Many patients experience relief from TMJ symptoms within a few days to a couple of weeks after Botox treatment. This quick response time is especially beneficial for those dealing with persistent pain and discomfort. Additionally, Botox treatment for TMJ disorder is minimally invasive and doesn’t involve surgical procedures.
We offer our patients a less-aggressive alternative to some other treatments. Call us at 919-587-8401 when you are ready to address your jaw pain.