Botox, a neurotoxin protein, may help treat symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. You may benefit most from this treatment if other methods haven’t worked. Botox may help treat the following TMJ disorder symptoms:
- jaw tension
- headaches due to teeth grinding
- lockjaw in cases of severe stress
Read on to learn more about the use of Botox for TMJ disorders.
Efficacy
Botox may be effective in treating TMJ in some people. However, this treatment for TMJ disorders is experimental. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Botox for use in TMJ disorders.
A 2012 studyTrusted Source found that Botox could significantly decrease pain and increase mouth movements for three months following treatment. This was a small study that had only 26 participants.
The results of two other studies, one published in 2003Trusted Source, and the other published in 2008Trusted Source, were similar. In the 2003 studyTrusted Source, there was improvement of symptoms in up to 90 percent of participants who didn’t respond to conservative treatments. Despite encouraging study results, researchers still recommend more studies to help better understand the full effectiveness of Botox treatment for TMJ disorders.
Side effects
The most common side effects of Botox for TMJ treatment are:
- headache
- respiratory infection
- flu-like illness
- nausea
- temporary eyelid droop
Botox may alsoTrusted Source cause a “fixed” smile that could last for six to eight weeks. The paralyzing effect of Botox on muscles causes this side effect.
There are also other reported side effects linked to the Botox injection. They generally appear within the first week of treatment and include:
- pain
- redness at the injection site
- muscle weakness
- bruising at the injection site
What happens during the procedure?
Botox treatment for TMJ disorder is a nonsurgical, outpatient procedure. Your healthcare provider can perform it right in their office. Each treatment session typically takes 10-30 minutes. You could expect to have at least three injection sessions over the course of several months.
Your healthcare provider will inject Botox into your forehead, temple, and jaw muscles. They may also inject other areas depending on your symptoms. Your doctor will decide the number of Botox injections you need. The injection may cause you to feel pain, similar to a bug bite or prick. Doctors recommend easing the pain with a cold pack or numbing cream.
Although some improvement can be felt within a day or two of treatment, it usually takes several days to feel relief. People who’ve had Botox treatment for TMJ can expect to return to their regular activities as soon as they leave their doctor’s office.
You should remain upright and avoid rubbing or massaging the injection sites for several hours after treatment. This helps prevent the toxin from spreading to other muscles.
Cost
Call your insurer to find out if they cover TMJ treatments, including Botox injections. They will likely not cover the treatment because the FDA has not approved Botox for this use. But it’s worth asking in case they do cover the treatment.
The cost of Botox treatment for TMJ will vary. Your treatment needs, the number of Botox injections, and the severity of your symptoms will determine how much you spend on the procedure. The geographic location where you receive treatment will also affect the cost. Treatment could cost anywhere from $500-$1,500, or more, according to one medical provider.
Outlook
Botox injections are shown to be a relatively safe and effective treatment for TMJ disorders. But more research is needed to determine its full range of benefits.
If you’re interested in Botox treatment for TMJ, it’s important to keep in mind that you may have to pay for the procedure out of pocket. Your insurance provider may not cover the costs because the FDA has not approved Botox for treating TMJ. But if you haven’t responded to other treatment methods or don’t want an invasive procedure, getting Botox injections may provide you with the relief you need.
Other treatment options for TMJ
Botox injections aren’t the only treatment for TMJ. Other surgical and nonsurgical options can ease your symptoms. Traditional and alternative treatments for TMJ include:
- medications such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
- muscle relaxants
- physical therapy
- oral splints or mouth guards
- open-joint surgery to repair or replace the joint
- arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery that uses a scope and small instruments to treat TMJ disorders
- arthrocentesis, a minimally invasive procedure that helps remove debris and inflammatory byproducts
- surgery on the mandible to treat pain and lockjaw
- acupuncture
- relaxation techniques
Talk to your healthcare provider about all of your treatment options. You may benefit from using a combination of treatments, or you may need to try several treatments before finding one that works for you.
What Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Exercises Relieve Pain?
1. Relaxed jaw exercise
Rest your tongue gently on the top of your mouth behind your upper front teeth. Allow your teeth to come apart while relaxing your jaw muscles.
2. Goldfish exercises (partial opening)
Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and one finger in front of your ear where your TMJ is located. Put your middle or pointer finger on your chin. Drop your lower jaw halfway and then close. There should be mild resistance but not pain. A variation of this exercise is to place one finger on each TMJ as you drop your lower jaw halfway and closed again. Do this exercise six times in one set. You should do one set six times daily.
3. Goldfish exercises (full opening)
Keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth, place one finger on your TMJ and another finger on your chin. Drop your lower jaw completely and back. For a variation of this exercise, place one finger on each TMJ as you completely drop your lower jaw and back. Do this exercise six times to complete one set. You should complete one set six times daily.
4. Chin tucks
With your shoulders back and chest up, pull your chin straight back, creating a “double chin.” Hold for three seconds and repeat 10 times.
5. Resisted opening of the mouth
Place your thumb under your chin. Open your mouth slowly, pushing gently against your chin for resistance. Hold for three to six seconds, and then close your mouth slowly.
6. Resisted closing of the mouth
Squeeze your chin with your index and thumb with one hand. Close your mouth as you place gently pressure on your chin. This will help strengthen your muscles that help you chew.
7. Tongue up
With your tongue touching the roof of your mouth, slowly open and close your mouth.
8. Side-to-side jaw movement
Put a ¼ inch object, such as stacked tongue depressors, between your front teeth, and slowly move your jaw from side to side. As the exercise becomes easier, increase the thickness of the object between your teeth by stacking them one on top of each other.
9. Forward jaw movement
Put a ¼ inch object between your front teeth. Move your bottom jaw forward so your bottom teeth are in front of your top teeth. As the exercise becomes easier, increase the thickness of the object between your teeth.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help relieve TMJ pain. Muscle relaxers may be prescribed for severe pain. Doctors may also recommend:
- mouth guards to prevent teeth grinding and jaw clenching
- mouth guards to help realign your jaw
- warm towels
- ice, no more than 15 minutes per hour and not directly on the skin
- stress-relief techniques to help prevent behaviors that cause jaw tension
- acupuncture to relieve pressure in the affected area
Severe pain caused by damaged joints may require more invasive treatments, such as corticosteroid injections into the TMJ. Surgery may be considered as a last resort. There isn’t any scientific evidence that surgical interventions for TMJ disorders are safe and effective.
TMJ pain may also be managed with simple lifestyle changes. You may wish to:
- eat a soft diet to allow the TMJ to relax
- avoid chewing gum
- avoid biting your nails
- avoid biting your lower lip
- practice good posture
- limit large jaw movements, such as yawning and singing
If you have TMJ, it may be painful to practice basic oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, and getting routine dental cleanings.
The TMJ Association recommends these tips to reduce pain and help make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy:
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush.
- Use a rubber tip stimulator or water flosser if you can’t open your mouth to floss.
- Add an antiseptic mouth rinse to your daily dental care regimen.
- Tell your dental care team if you’re in pain during a dental procedure.
- Apply ice or heat after a dental procedure.
- Talk to your dentist about ways to remove plaque other than flossing. For example, they may suggest wiping your teeth with cotton gauze.
