Botox treatment of TMJ is one of the easiest and most effective treatments, and yet it’s one most dentists don’t offer to their patients (and usually that’s because it’s one they can’t or don’t offer themselves, or simply aren’t knowledgeable about).
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a painful and common condition. Most often, TMJ sufferers feel pain or clicking in their jaw while chewing. This is due to inflammation from overuse, clenching, arthritis, or other causes. Many sufferers are surprised to learn that Botox can be used as an effective treatment option for TMJ.
How Botox for TMJ Works
You may be familiar with Botox for migraines, which reduces pain by blocking nerve signals that cause migraines. Or you may be familiar with how Botox can reduce wrinkles by reducing the intensity of muscle contractions. Botox for TMJ works in both of these ways, to reduce pain signals from TMJ and reduce the clenching and muscle tightness that TMJ causes.
The Botox for TMJ Injection Procedure
The procedure is completed essentially the same way as any other Botox injection. Your physician will place the Botox in the masseter muscle, which is connected to the jaw along the side of the face, ensuring that the product is deep enough into the muscle and distributed thoroughly through the area. This is relatively comfortable, and despite the fact that the masseter muscle is relatively thick, patients don’t feel additional pain compared to other Botox injections.
As with any Botox procedure, the results are temporary, because the body will naturally and safely metabolize the product over time. Botox for TMJ patients can expect to require injections every 3-4 months to maintain relief.
You can watch the actual injections and procedure in the video above.
Jaw Slimming and Botox for TMJ
While not the primary goal of Botox injections for TMJ, the treatment results in a slimmer-looking face. Many patients are pleased with this effect, but of course, others are not interested in changing the appearance of their face when seeking Botox for TMJ. In particular, men typically prefer to have an angular, heavy jaw. So, any volume lost as a result of Botox for TMJ injection can be restored using fillers such as Radiesse, Scupltra, Juvederm Voluma, or Restylane. Your injector will recommend a customized treatment plan to combine Botox for TMJ with the correct nonsurgical jaw augmentation injectable for you.
View Our Botox Before & After Photos Here >>
If you are concerned about the cosmetic outcome as well, you can learn more about our jawline injections here. Most patients find a combination of injectable procedures is sufficient for tweaks to the jawline, such as creating more definition or a more angular or heart-shaped look, but your individual needs and goals are discussed and planned for during the free consultation with one of our doctors.
Choosing Your Botox for TMJ Provider
Before you choose to have Botox to treat your TMJ, it’s important to remember that this is not a primary use for Botox for most providers. It is much less common to perform Botox injections for TMJ than other purposes, such as reducing wrinkles around the eyes or forehead. Therefore, it’s key to choose a provider who has plenty of experience treating TMJ using Botox and performs the procedure frequently.
At Reflections Center, each of our procedures is performed by a physician who specializes in a selection of procedures, with advanced training in the products, technologies, and techniques necessary to provide the best possible results.
How much does Botox for TMJ Cost?
At Reflections Center, Botox is $16 per unit, with TMJ injections requiring about 15-20 units, making the cost around $240-320 for this treatment.
Generally, men have stronger and more developed jaw muscles, which means they tend to need more, but TMJ and clenching can develop those muscles in a woman as well.
Schedule a Free Consultation
To learn whether Botox is a suitable solution for your TMJ pain, schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced physician injectors at either Reflections Center for Cosmetic Medicine location in Martinsville (Bridgewater Township, Between Bernardsville and Warren) or in Livingston (near Short Hills, Millburn, and West Orange).
You can arrange your first appointment by calling our office at (732) 356-1666 or by filling out our contact form to the right.
