Botox and TMJ in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What Is TMJ?

TMJ, an acronym for temporomandibular joint syndrome, affects the nerves and muscles of the temporomandibular joint. Bruxism, or grinding your teeth, can exacerbate the development of TMJ. Sometimes, TMJ is the result of frequent gum chewing, severely misaligned teeth, or trauma to the jaw or teeth. It can be cured, but requires professional dental treatment.

How Is TMJ Diagnosed?

Sometimes, TMJ can be readily identified. Some of the symptoms include:

• Earaches or pain in the ear
• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Jaw discomfort or stiffness
• Sticky feeling in the jaw muscles

The presence of any or all of the above symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Call our Fort Lauderdale office for more information or to schedule an appointment. We can perform basic tests to determine whether your symptoms are caused by TMJ or another issue.

What Will Happen During My Visit?

When you come to our Fort Lauderdale office for your appointment, we'll examine your teeth and jaw as follows:

• Your dentist will feel your jaw during chewing or speaking to determine if your joints and muscles are functioning as they should
• We may take one or more X-rays
• We may perform a CT scan or MRI

The CT scan or MRI will show the condition of the muscles and soft tissues in your jaw. We may recommend an arthroscopy to further evaluate the condition of your muscles and soft tissues.

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a small tube and camera to look inside your joint. It's minimally invasive and can determine the severity of your condition

Working with a qualified dentist in Fort Lauderdale will ensure the best outcome for your dental procedures, giving you the best oral health possible. Call our Fort Lauderdale office today for more information or to make an appointment.

What Are the Treatments for TMJ?

Your treatment will be specific to your unique situation and will be influenced by the severity of your TMJ and any damage that may have occurred. Your dentist may recommend the following options to protect your jaw and manage your TMJ:

• Pain medications that include anti-inflammatories, both prescription and over-the-counter, for mild cases of TMJ.
• If your TMJ is related to underlying stress issues, you may be prescribed an antidepressant.
• Sometimes, a muscle relaxant can reduce further damage to the muscles and help manage TMJ-related pain.
• Dental appliances, such as oral splints or a mouth guard, can help alleviate pain and further damage. Other treatment options can include massage, heat or ice, exercises to strengthen jaw muscles, and the elimination of chewing gum.

These are all non-surgical methods that are frequently used to manage TMJ. Sometimes, however, surgical procedures are the best option.

Surgical options for the treatment of TMJ include the following:

• Arthroscopy: allows for the speedy and effective correction of TMJ issues. The procedure is minimally invasive and very efficacious.
• Open-joint surgical procedures to repair or replace of parts of the jaw. These procedures are used for more serious cases of TMJ and resolve issues quickly and effectively.
• Modified condylotomy procedures provide indirect relief by treating the mandible.
• Arthrocentesis procedures are used to remove residual bone and tissue that may result from bruxism. This procedure is minimally invasive and very effective.

BOTOX is another treatment for TMJ. The injections provide real help in managing the pressure and pain associated with TMJ. The injections are non-invasive and are very effective for some cases of TMJ.

How Does BOTOX Treat TMJ?

BOTOX is a neurotoxin that targets specific muscles. It relaxes them and alleviates the TMJ symptoms for many patients. It's performed on an outpatient basis and usually takes a maximum of 30 minutes per session, but sometimes takes as little as 10 minutes. The treatments must be repeated and must be precisely delivered. Typical injection sites are in the forehead and the jaw, as these areas have proven to be the most effective.

Is There a Dentist Near Me Who Offers BOTOX?

At Towncare Dental of Fort Lauderdale, we always go the extra mile to provide the best treatment options for our patients, whether you have TMJ or another dental issue. One of our solutions for TMJ is BOTOX injections. They've repeatedly proven effective in treating TMJ quickly and completely for the following TMJ symptoms:

• Locked jaw
• Headaches or jaw pain due to TMJ
• Tension or pressure in the jaw

Your dentist will evaluate your condition and the results of your tests and make the best recommendation. We are happy to answer all your questions, so call Towncare Dental of Fort Lauderdale for more information.

BOTOX for Cosmetic Purposes

BOTOX is often used cosmetically to temporarily reduce or eliminate frown lines and wrinkles, as well as the frown lines between your eyebrows. It's also used for lines at the corners of your eyes and the outer corners of your mouth. It's applied with a thin needle and temporarily freezes the muscles, which creates a smooth appearance.

What's the Procedure for a BOTOX Treatment?

For the best results from your BOTOX procedure, you'll need several treatments. Sometimes, patients notice a difference within two to three days after the first injection. However, the full procedure needs several appointments. You'll be able to resume all your regular activities, but you should avoid touching or rubbing the injection sites for a few hours. This enables the full effect of your BOTOX treatment and maximizes the relaxation of your jaw muscles.

How Do I Learn More?

To learn more about the options for a BOTOX treatment, call Towncare Dental of Fort Lauderdale at (954) 302-7410, and we'll gladly answer all your questions. We can schedule an appointment so you can determine all your options, both for TMJ and any other dental issues. Contact us today so we can help you determine the ideal treatment.

We look forward to speaking with you.