Botox For TMJ

Botox For TMJ Seattle & Tacoma

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most unique joints in the body. It is also vital for everyday functions and activities such as eating, speaking, and other facial movements. Thus, any pain associated with the temporomandibular joint can make living life difficult. While there is sometimes an obvious cause like a jaw injury, a disorder also colloquially called TMJ is one of the top causes of jaw pain. The cause of TMJ dysfunction is not always known, but several treatments, including Botox injections, have emerged to help provide relief. Seattle Plastic Surgery performs the best Botox for TMJ Seattle and Tacoma offers.

Overview: How Botox Injections Treat TMJ

Botox is a neurotoxin that helps relax targeted facial muscles to reduce unnecessary movement and overactive muscles. This has several advantages when addressing TMJ. One of the factors that contribute to TMJ is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Often, this down involuntarily. Botox injections can help reduce and even cease instances of grinding. Therefore, this can lead to a reduction in jaw pain.

Additionally, simply limiting the minuscule movement of the jaw can help reduce TMJ pain. Injected into the masseter and temporalis muscles, Botox also can weaken the muscles over time which can promote longer lasting results and even better results after a few treatments.

Symptoms Of A TMJ Disorder

A temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMJD) can cause many varying symptoms. Two patients with TMJ can present with different symptoms. Though, most patients will experience some level of pain around the jaw or side of the head. Symptoms of TMJD include:

• Stiff jaw
• Pain in the jaw, temples, ears, face, and neck
• Headaches and/or migraines
• Lock jaw
• Difficulty chewing
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Clicking sound when moving the jaw (normal unless comorbid with pain)
  

These symptoms can also cause other issues in everyday life that may be caused by a limited or decreased diet, consistent use of painkillers, increased teeth sensitivity, and fatigue. Thus, severe cases often present with more symptoms that have arisen due to their symptoms or attempted treatments.

Benefits Of Botox

When less invasive and conservative treatments for TMJ have failed to yield significant relief from TMJ symptoms, then Botox may be considered. Some providers may recommend Botox immediately in severe cases of TMJD. The benefits of Botox TMJ treatment include:

• Prevent stiff muscles and jaw tension
• Reduce the frequency of severe symptoms
• Treat teeth grinding
• Help relieve pain from headaches and migraines
• Reduce TMJ-associated pain
• May create a slimming effect with masseter Botox
• Allows for normal jaw movements needed for everyday life
• Safe and effective
• Widely used to treat TMJ
• Non-surgical and minimally invasive
• Virtually painless
• Repeated treatment may help reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms over time
• In-office procedure
• Little to no downtime
• Performed by an experienced and knowledgeable injector

TMJ Botox Before & After

Consultation

At a consultation with an injector at Seattle Plastic Surgery, you will discuss your history of TMJ symptoms and treatments you have previously tried. Your provider will discuss what you can expect from the injections and describe the process to you. They may also want to know about other aspects of your medical history and lifestyle. Finally, they will determine if you are a good candidate for TMJ treatment with Botox.

Often, the injections can take place during the same appointment, though this will depend. Regardless, you will receive a customized price quote based on the number of units necessary. While insurance usually does not cover Botox for TMJ, we do work with Care Credit and also the Allē rewards program.

Treatment

When using Botox injections to treat TMJ, your injector will usually target two muscles on either side of the face. First, the masseter muscle sits in the lower third of the face and towards the back of the jaw. This is often referred to as the jaw muscle. Your injector will have you clench your jaw and then relax it, treating the areas where the most movement takes place.

After treating the masseter muscle, your injector will move upward to the temporalis muscle which controls the movement of the upper jaw and temple area. You will repeat the process of clenching and unclenching. There are usually about three to four injections per site. Depending on your symptoms, your injector may not treat both muscles.

If your TMJ occurs on both sides, they will also inject the same muscles on the other side. The entire process usually takes under twenty minutes.

Aftercare & Results

After jaw Botox injections, the side effects are generally mild. You may feel some soreness and experience minor swelling and bruising. These side effects generally go away quickly and without too much trouble. Some people may find using ice will ease some of the pain over the next couple of days. The recommended aftercare may include:

• Sleep with your head slightly elevated for a day or two
• Avoid strenuous activities for about two days
• Keep the skin cool and free of sweat
• Refrain from drinking or smoking
• Take only Tylenol, aspirin based painkillers may worsen or cause bruising
• Do not rub or massage the injection sites
• Avoid making a final judgment about the efficacy of the treatment until about two weeks

As mentioned above, Botox takes about two weeks to take full effect. Therefore, while you will likely see side effects improve in a few days, the full effect of th Botox will likely not take effect for two weeks. If after two weeks you feel like you are still having frequent, life hindering symptoms, then you may need a few extra units which can easily be performed at a touch-up appointment with your injector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Other TMJ Treatment Options?

There are several other options for treating a TMJ disorder. Since the cause is usually not known, treating TMJ becomes a cycle of trying different treatments until you find the right ones. Following Botox injections, you may continue other treatments. A few examples of other TMJ treatments include:

• Oral medications (pain relievers and muscle relaxants are the most commonly prescribed)
• Wearing mouthguards
• Acupuncture
• Physical therapy
• Stress reduction techniques
• Surgery (rarely performed)

Many of these non-surgical methods pair well with Botox for TMJ. However, you may not be able to immediately resume them following Botox injections. Make sure to tell your injector what other treatments you currently use for your TMJ.

Does Jaw Botox Affect Smile?

It can, if injected into the wrong muscle, or if injected into the wrong part of the masseter muscle. While some of the side effects may temporarily affect your smile, it is temporary. Continuing to have a crooked or lopsided smile after a few days is not normal and may mean the Botox was injected incorrectly into the risorius or depressor labii inferiorius or spread there.

Both of these complications are exceptionally rare at Seattle Plastic Surgery. All of our injectors understand facial anatomy and make sure to have you move your jaw muscles to ensure the correct placement of the Botox. Botox spreading is rare, but following proper aftercare and ensuring you are not overtreated can help prevent this.

Will Dysport Work For TMJ Too?

Yes, any Botulinum toxin-based neurotoxin will work similarly to Botox for TMJ. For example, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are all options for treating TMJ. However, Botox is often considered one of the most effective options, but this may vary between patients.

Is TMJ A Chronic Condition?

Temporomandibular joint disorders can be chronic. Though, it is also common for them to resolve on their own over time. Severe cases of TMJ are more likely to be chronic than mild cases. Botox most often addresses more chronic cases where at-home or less invasive treatments have failed to provide significant results.

How Much Is TMJ Botox In Seattle?

At Seattle Plastic Surgery, our Botox is priced based on unit packages. Though, occasionally, more specialized procedures using Botox have their own pricing. With TMJ, it depends on how much Botox you will need and your specific case. The starting cost for Botox in Seattle is:

• 20 Units: $219
• 30 Units: $299

We do work with Allē rewards and outside financing including Care Credit. You can learn more about our financing options and direct links to apply on our financing page. Unfortunately, Botox for TMJ is rarely covered by insurance. To find our full range of pricing, visit our price list and to add up the projected cost of your procedures, use our Price Simulator.

The Best Botox For TMJ Treatment In Seattle

Seattle Plastic Surgery is a leading plastic surgery clinic and medical spa in Seattle, WA. Providing top quality surgical and non-surgical services, the providers at Seattle Plastic Surgery work to individualize each procedure to fit the patient and their goals. This includes when treating a problem such as TMJ that is not a cosmetic use of Botox. Seattle Plastic Surgery offers the best Botox for TMJ Seattle and Tacoma perform.

The injectors at Seattle Plastic Surgery come from a variety of backgrounds and include a mix of aesthetic medicine physicians, physicians assistants, registered nurses, and our plastic surgeons. All have undergone training under our plastic surgeons who have decades of extensive experience in Botox and fillers.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-324-1120. You can also reach out online via chat, contact form, and Price Simulator.