When you suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction, finding relief is a high priority. The pain from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (also known as TMJ dysfunction) can often be debilitating, causing jaw stiffness, the inability to open and close, neck and back pain, tinnitus (ringing ears), and even migraine headaches. As a result, many people who suffer from TMJ dysfunction look for quick fixes to heal their TMJ dysfunction pain.
One increasingly popular treatment that is considered “off label” is the use of Botox or botulinum toxin, to ease TMJ dysfunction pain. Botox is injected directly into the muscles of the TMJ joint, causing temporary relief of the condition.
The problem is, not only are the results only temporary, they are costly and may not be effective. That’s because doctors often use small doses of Botox to treat TMJ dysfunction. Larger doses have found to be slightly more effective, however as researchers are now discovering, come with their own caveats.
According to a new study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, while small doses of Botox to treat TMJ dysfunction may not be as useful, they do not cause serious bone degradation. Unfortunately, the higher and more effective doses do cause bone deterioration in the jaw, and more studies are now needed to see just how serious this problem really is.
So, what’s the solution to this serious issue? Avoiding botox altogether seems to be the safest bet. The good news is that there are other solutions that don’t cause bone degradation, including orthodontics and custom orthotics which position the jaw in the correct place to eliminate TMJ dysfunction pain.
Dr. Mingus uses a variety of procedures to treat TMJ dysfunction in patients of all ages. He can even help encourage facial growth to help eliminate TMJ dysfunction symptoms by growing the jaw to its ideal size, so it eliminates the TMJ dysfunction pain you are experiencing.
If you are interested in learning more about your TMJ dysfunction treatment options, please contact Dr. Mingus’s office and schedule a consultation for your unique situation. Dr. Mingus can customize a plan which works for your jaw.