Your jaw muscles do a lot of work. By controlling the movement of the temporomandibular joints, these facial muscles make it possible to eat, swallow, speak, and laugh. Over time, these muscles can become overworked, resulting in a condition known as temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMD). Other causes of this common condition include stress, jaw joint dislocation, and arthritis. When left untreated, TMD can be debilitating – causing migraines, cracked teeth, and sharp pain radiating from the jaw joint. Luckily, Botox^® offers an immediately effective solution.

How Botox^® Solves Jaw Pain

For years, Botox^® has built a reputation as one of the most effective, non-invasive anti-aging solutions. However, the treatment began as a therapeutic solution. In 1989, the FDA approved this neuromodulator as a treatment for strabismus and blepharospasm – two forms of eye muscle disorder. Since then, doctors have prescribed Botox^® for various conditions ranging from overactive bladder and severe sweating to chronic migraines and muscle stiffness.

Among the health concerns Botox^® can improve are jaw tension and TMD. When injected into the muscles that control the temporomandibular joint, Botox^® temporarily freezes muscle movement. This effect allows the overworked muscles to relax, alleviating the painful clenching that causes jaw pain and other side effects of TMD.

What to Expect During Botox^® Treatment

Much like traditional Botox^® injections, Botox^® for TMD and jaw pain is a straightforward process that can take as little as 30 minutes. During your visit, our Botox^® specialist will mark the injection area, then go over post-treatment instructions. Next, they administer the injection – for most patients, any discomfort is brief and no more painful than a bug bite. Following the appointment, patients are free to return to their day-to-day routine.

As Botox^® treatments are non-invasive, there is virtually no downtime required post-treatment. After the injection, you may experience some bruising and tenderness. These side effects are completely normal and usually dissipate within a few days. While this application is not explicitly cosmetic, some patients may notice that wrinkles around the treatment site are less noticeable, resulting in a more natural and relaces appearance.

When to Expect Results From Botox^® Treatment

Quick results are another reason more patients are choosing Botox^® for jaw pain. Many enjoy an improvement within the first day of treatment, with full relief reached within a week following their procedure. Since specific facial muscles are larger than others, it can take up to two weeks for some patients to enjoy the full benefits of this TMD remedy.

At Desert Med Aesthetics, our mission goes beyond world-class cosmetic care. By offering treatments like Botox^® to treat jaw tension and temporomandibular joint disorder, we help patients alleviate long-term pain and improve their quality of life. To learn more about our available jaw pain therapies, call 760-777-7862 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Cosgrove today!