TMJ Disorder Downtown Los Angeles

How does Botox Treat TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is located on both sides of the head where the jawbone meets the skull. This joint is used for everyday activities including swallowing, talking, eating, etc. If you find yourself excessively grinding your teeth, or the joint becomes displaced, it may result in severe sharp pains in the jaw as well as unbearable headaches. BOTOX has been used to relieve pain by freezing these muscles and causing the muscles that produce the headaches and pain unable to move. 

Botox itself is a type of naturally occurring neuromodulator. Neuromodulators have long been the mainstay of any cosmetic practice. They are designed as a safe and effective way of getting rid of wrinkles on the forehead, glabella (11s), eyes (crow’s feet) and many other areas including the neck. There are many ways of using these products, but here at the Los Angeles Center for Cosmetic Surgery, we believe in a “less-is-more” approach to your facial freezing.

This alternative treatment is a non-surgical procedure administered by one of our board-certified Providers. Most patients experience a noticeable improvement within one or two days of their first treatment, although maximum relief can take up to a week.

Find out more about Botox treatments.

What Areas are Affected by TMJ Botulinum Toxin Therapy?

Only the areas injected with Botulinum Toxin will be “released” in terms of tension. Botulinum Toxin treatment for TMJ therapy will not affect anywhere else in your body. The injections are mainly in the temporalis, frontalis, masseter, and additional sites may be injected with Botulinum Toxins depending on the severity of the headaches. 

What Can I Expect During Botulinum Toxin Treatment?

The length of the Botulinum Toxin treatment procedure depends on the number of injections you will need to be determined by one of our doctors but typically takes 10-30 minutes. The pain associated with this treatment is minimal and brief. Many patients compare the pain to a “bug bite” or “prick”. We offer numbing cream to reduce possible pain from the injections. 

What Can I Expect After TMJ Botox Treatment?

After the TMJ treatment, muscle tenderness will start to disappear almost immediately. Wrinkles begin to disappear within 24-48 hours after the injections but may take up to a week. Mild bruising, numbness, or redness around the injection sites are common side effects that will go away!

This procedure is non-surgical and non-invasive, so the patient can return to normal activities immediately. Patients should not rub or massage the area injected with Botox to avoid spreading the toxin to other muscles.