Botox For Jaw Pain Near Me

Common Symptoms of An Injured Temporomandibular Joint

woman in pain holding jaw | botox for jaw pain near me

If you regularly experience pain on one or both sides of the jaw or aching pain in your face or ears, this could be a sign of an issue with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Other symptoms include:

  • Migraines
  • Toothache
  • Jaw locking
  • Inflammation
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds coming from the jaw

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book a dental exam with your dentist in Goffstown right away. They will be able to assess your condition, find out the root cause of your pain, and develop a treatment plan to relieve your pain to prevent future problems from occurring.

Causes Of TMJ Disorders

You have two temporomandibular joints, one on either side of your jaw. It is especially important for these to be symmetrical so that one is not overworking or being strained. Common causes of a TMJ disorder include:

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Physical injury
  • Genetics
  • Arthritis
  • Genetics
  • Emotional stress
  • Connective tissue disease

A treatment for TMJ that is becoming increasingly popular due to its outstanding success is through Xeomin injections. Xeomin is remarkably similar to BOTOX®, except that it has no additives, only containing botulinum toxin type A which is responsible for blocking the nerve signals to the muscle in which it was injected. Without a signal, the muscle is unable to contract. Since BOTOX® contains additives, it can diffuse into other muscles which Xeomin will not do, making it ideal for injections in the TMJ. An injection of Xeomin into the muscle will relax it and reduce tension in the jaw. This will keep the strain on your TMJ lower, alleviating jaw pain. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, having less tension in your jaw may even help resolve that problem for you as well.

Botox or Xeomin Injection for TMJ Procedure

Treatment for TMJ is non-surgical and is performed by Dr Leonardi in our office. Each session is quick, only lasting 10-15 minutes, and involves 1-2 injections on each side of your jaw. This remarkable service is performed by injecting it into your jaw muscles and the feeling is similar to a small prick. You will notice improvements within two weeks of treatment, and it is recommended to receive recurring treatments every 3-4 months. Patients report that this treatment is very comfortable and provides excellent results.

Botox and Xeomin for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMD, sometimes called "TMJ" colloquially, is a disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint. This joint is the "hinge" that controls the movement of the jaw. Move your jaw from front, to back, to side--that’s your temporomandibular joint at work. TMD can affect many parts of this system of muscles, joints, ligaments, and bones. Whether or not you are a candidate for this treatment for TMJ issues depends on your unique health situation. A consultation with Dr Leonardi is the first step in determining if this procedure is right for you.

Discover Botox and Xeomin for Bruxism

Bruxism is commonly known as "teeth grinding." Individuals with bruxism grind or grit their teeth together, either over the course of the day or in their sleep. Dr Leonardi uses either Botox or Xeomin to alleviate symptoms of bruxism because the treatment is designed to relax the muscles in the patient’s jaw, which are what cause the teeth to clench and grind. This method targets a "deeper" cause--the clenching and grinding--rather than simply shielding the teeth with a bite guard. Because this treatment is designed to address muscle tension, it prevents additional wear and tear on teeth and may relieve feelings of tension in the jaw or headaches that result from teeth grinding. Finally, medical professionals also note that it can soften the appearance of enlarged muscles in the jaw that can sometimes result from bruxism. If you're struggling with bruxism, call us at (603) 668-5307 to schedule a consultation and find relief.