Movies where a character receives BOTOX injections always portray the treatment as a ridiculous way for an older person to continue looking younger. Though they are commonly used to reduce find lines and wrinkles, experts have found that BOTOX is also beneficial for relieving pain In fact, medical professionals have been using it to eliminate pain for decades.
As an expert in orofacial pain, Dr. Timothy Mickiewicz understands the benefits of BOTOX injections and offers them to patients suffering from pain associated with TMJ disorder.
Understanding TMJ Disorder
So, how do you know if the pain you’re feeling is related to TMJ disorder? The best way to find out is to visit a dentist who specializes in orofacial pain. The next best thing? Understand what TMJ disorder is and look for its symptoms.
Temporomandibular joint disorder occurs when the jaw joints don’t work properly. People with TMJ often experience clicking or popping when they chew or yawn. In many cases, these lead to pain and discomfort.
The clicking and popping associated with TMJ disorder could be due to four factors:
- Erosion around the disk
- The disk becoming improperly aligned
- Damage to the cartilage caused by arthritis
- Damage caused by trauma
Patients with TMJ disorder should seek professional care when they also experience these symptoms:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Pain around the ear
- Dull, recurring headaches
- Facial pain or swelling
- Difficulty chewing
- Locking of the joint
There are several treatment options that your dentist may recommend. Thankfully, oral surgery is typically the last resort and is reserved for patients with extreme symptoms. Other alternative treatments include oral appliances, physical therapy, and BOTOX.
Our dentist, Dr. Mick, has found that BOTOX offers incredible benefits and results to patients suffering from TMJ-related pain.
To learn more about how BOTOX works and its benefits, continue reading this blog.
Treatment Process
The process for receiving BOTOX injections is simple, yet unique for every patient. Depending on the area of pain, Dr. Mick will administer the injection in the frontal lobe, the masseter, or the temporal lobe.
The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes, but repeat treatments are recommended. After each session, patients should experience pain relief for three to four months.
Benefits
One of the greatest benefits of BOTOX for TMJ disorder is the conservative nature of the procedure. For most patients, the idea of surgery is overwhelming and scary. BOTOX offers pain relief without the need for an invasive procedure.
While BOTOX injections aren’t a one-time fix for the pain related to TMJD, they do last up to four months—a significant amount of time to be pain-free.
Although the procedure is not yet FDA-approved, it is proven to be safe and effective in clinical cases and research.
BOTOX Treatment in Sacramento
When it comes to orofacial pain, Dr. Mick is your go-to guy. His passion for helping patients live pain-free lives has driven him to discover and create effective alternative treatment options. Dr. Mick has the expertise and experience to get to the root of the problem and offer the best solution.
If you’re experiencing pain because of TMJ disorder, don’t wait any longer to seek professional help. Contact our team today at (916) 469-9178 or online to schedule your initial consultation.
