When most people think about Botox, they think of it as being used for cosmetic purposes. Botox can help get rid of many of the more common signs of aging, such as wrinkles around the lips, eyes and other areas. There are, however, ways Botox can be used that can help solve medical problems as well, such as problems involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The experts with ProHealth Solutions have a great deal of experience using Botox for not only aesthetics, but for issues such as headaches and TMJ disorder. If you would like to learn more, we would love the chance to speak with you. Set up a consultation by giving us a call at 727-873-6536 or by contacting us online.

Here’s some information on what TMJ disorder is and why it occurs, as well as how Botox can help get rid of this problem for good.

The TMJ is located on each side of the head, at the meeting point of the jawbone and skull. TMJ disorder occurs when this joint either gets swollen or displaced.

The most common cause of this issue is grinding your teeth at night, a condition known as bruxism. It can also develop if you clench your teeth a great deal, or if you tend to overwork the joint by eating too many crunchy or tough foods. In some severe instances, lockjaw can occur. This is when the jaw locks, making it impossible to open your mouth very wide – if you can open it at all.

If you’re under a great deal of pressure, either from work, school, family or financial problems, etc., that can make your neck and face muscles extremely tense. This can lead to clenching of your teeth, which, in turn, will increase the chances of developing TMJ disorder.

Symptoms of this problem include the following:

If you are experiencing any of these issues, talk to your doctor to see if you may have TMJ disorder.

Without a doubt, Botox can help people suffering from TMJ disorder. It’s important to note, however, Botox will treat the discomfort – not the root cause of the condition. Once you’ve found relief through Botox injections, you will likely want to see a specialist to determine the best way to treat that root cause. This could mean, for example, talking to your dentist about ways to realign your bite.

There can be some side effects associated with using Botox, just like with most other medical procedures. However, these will, in the vast majority of instances, be minimal and temporary.

Common side effects include slight nausea, headaches, and possibly feeling flu-like symptoms. Others include redness at the injection site, muscle weakness in the treated area, and slight pain. Bruising may occur as well.

If you’re suffering from TMJ and you’re considering Botox treatment, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is what to expect during your session. Botox works by limiting muscle movement – in this case, the masseter and temporalis muscles near the jaw. Your professional may give you other injections in other areas as well, depending on the symptoms you have.

Once the injections are administered, you should quickly start to experience relief from pain and any other symptoms you’re experiencing.

If you feel any discomfort from the injection, it will probably feel something like being stung by a bee. As you learned earlier, however, any discomfort will only be temporary. The procedure is efficient and quick, probably lasting for no longer than half an hour.

The effects of your Botox injection should last anywhere from three to four months. Once you’ve received your treatment, you should be able to return to your normal activities immediately.

You will, however, have to do a few things to make sure the injections work. For example, don’t massage or rub the injection sites. You’ll also need to avoid laying down for quite a few hours. This will help keep the Botox from entering other areas of your face. You can use a cold pack if you have stinging or any other pain.

The cost of having Botox injections for TMJ will vary. The main factor that will determine your cost will be the number of injections that are needed. In general, patients typically need anywhere from 15-25 injections on each side of their face (30-50 injections total) to get the results they want.

A ProHealth Solutions expert will be able to go into much more detail regarding cost during your initial consultation. However, on average, Botox injections cost anywhere from $10 to $20 per injection. So, if you need 40 injections and the cost is $20, you will pay $800.

We do offer payment plans that make it easy to pay for your treatment in installments. Again, we’ll tell you much more during your consultation.

The medical professionals with ProHealth Solutions are committed to total client satisfaction. We use proven, safe methods to help improve quality of life, and to help minimize the discomfort associated with certain types of health issues. When you come into our offices, you’ll experience a welcoming, comforting – and safe – environment.

Our professionals not only want you to look your best, but also to feel your best. We have decades of experience in regenerative and anti-aging medicine, and we take a tailored, personalized approach when providing treatments. We’ll listen carefully to your goals, and then do everything we can to help you achieve them.

If you would like to learn more about us, or you would like to schedule a consultation, please use our online form or call 727-873-6536.

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