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Have you been waking up to headaches and an aching jaw? Feeling uncomfortable is no way to start the day – and ongoing pain can end up taking a serious toll on your mood and your life. Diagnosing the reason behind your aches is the first step. This post will offer some clues as to whether your problem may be a TMJ disorder, and discuss how therapeutic Botox treatment could be the right solution.
Jaw Pain from TMJ Disorders
Your TMJ is your temporomandibular joint, the mechanism that connects your upper and lower jaw. Located on either side of the face, your TMJ allows for the full range of lower jaw movement. It’s an incredibly important part of your facial musculature.
When the TMJ becomes damaged or aggravated, you will feel the consequences. Ongoing TMJ problems can be classified as a TMJ disorder, or TMD. Joint disorders cause a variety of aches, pains, and inconveniences, including
- Jaw pain
- Tooth pain
- Fatigued-feeling jaw
- A clicking or popping sound at the jaw joint
- Facial pain
- Ear pain
- Headaches or migraines
If you’ve been noticing these symptoms, especially in the morning after waking, we recommend that you give Hoffman Dental Care a call. Taking care of your disorder soon will bring you the relief you’ve been seeking.
Botox Therapeutic in Macomb
Depending on how long you’ve been struggling with TMD, you may have forgotten what a normal, healthy jaw actually feels like. It’s time to bid the achiness and jaw exhaustion farewell. Different forms of TMD demand different forms of treatment, as each approaches the jaw disorder in a certain way. Patients who have tried splints and relaxation techniques and still haven’t found pain relief will be looking for something new.
Botox approaches jaw disorders from a new angle. With Botox treatment, the jaw muscles that cause frequent, intense contractions are put to rest. Your jaw will still function, but it won’t seize uncontrollably, and your TMJ will be allowed to relax and heal.
How Does Botox Provide Pain Relief?
We’re sure that you’ve heard of Botox as a treatment for facial lines. Its remarkable capabilities make it similarly appropriate for chronic pain. Confused as to how an aesthetic aid doubles as a pain reliever? The reason for Botox’s duality lies in the way it affects muscles.
Botox contains botulinum toxin. This toxin breaks the communication chain between nerves and muscles. When injected into a muscle, Botox targets nerve endings. It prevents the nerves from releasing acetylcholine, the chemical that triggers muscle contractions. With the nerves rendered inactive, the muscles remain unharmed but are less likely to contract.
Botox doesn’t rob your jaw of its function, it simply changes the frequency and intensity of contractions. Patients with TMD often find that their jaws contract on their own, without conscious consent. This frequent movement is what leads to joint aggravation, and to ongoing problems. By bringing Botox to the damaged area, the muscles are calmed down. Dr. Hoffman is experienced with both aesthetic and therapeutic Botox injections, and will be able to deliver entirely predictable results. You will still feel like yourself, and retain control of your jaw. It will simply remain at rest when it is supposed to, gradually healing and eliminating signs of the jaw disorder.
Curious about Botox therapeutic? We would love to tell you more about the details of treatment, and whether it could be right for your jaw and facial pain. Just get in touch with Hoffman Dental Care for treatment tips and to schedule a consultation.
