Botox® For TMJ Treatment Rockford

Botox® Dentistry

What is Botox® Treatment?

Botox®/Xeomin®/Dysport® – or Botulinum Toxin – is a purified, natural protein that relaxes muscles, creating a smoothed and improved appearance. This can be used in both cosmetic and therapeutic applications.

Botox® treatment is not a new procedure in the medical field. It has been around for many years, treating frown lines, wrinkles, and other muscular conditions. Oral Surgeons can also use Botox® for therapeutic purposes, such as complications associated with tight jaw muscles, like grinding and clenching teeth.

At Oral & Facial Surgery Center, patients interested in Botox® for Dental Applications will first come in for a consultation and treatment planning before we schedule the procedure in our office. Cosmetic Botox® patients may schedule an appointment and will receive a consult immediately before the injections. For the first appointment, the patient should plan 30 minutes for paperwork, consult, and injections. Future appointments, after the initial injections, will be around 10 minutes long. Be sure to speak with Dr. Alexandria Hawkins, DMD if you are interested in Botox®.

How is Botox® Used for Cosmetic Treatments?

Botox®/Xeomin®/Dysport® can be used cosmetically to treat wrinkles. Botox® is administered through a few tiny injections of purified protein into select muscles to block nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing contractions. It blocks the message from the nerve to the muscle which results in muscle relaxation to create a smoother, relaxed look.

How is Botox® Used for Dental Applications?

The ability of Botox® to relax an individual’s muscles also has therapeutic applications. For therapeutic use, the ideal application is to reduce the intensity of the muscle contracting, which can cause some relief for patients who suffer from:

  • Bruxism – grinding or clenching teeth
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) – dysfunction of the TMJ can lead to extreme jaw and facial muscle pain

How Long Does Botox® Last?

After receiving treatment of Botox®/Xeomin®/Dysport® it can take anywhere from seven to ten days till patients begin to notice a difference; and the results typically last three to four months. Results may vary from person to person.