Bruxism – Teeth grinding correction
This article is intended to give honest and clear advice to our readers and does not promote prescription products. In order to help educate the public about Bruxism & TMJ disorder injections, we’ve put together this information to explain the possible risks and clarify the side effects.
Bruxism and TMJ Disorder
Both conditions have many similar symptoms: headache, jaw pain, facial pain, neck pain, sensitive teeth, ear pain, worn teeth, and limited jaw movement.
Bruxism:
Bruxism is a problem in which you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth. This can happen during the day or at night while you sleep (sleep bruxism). Bruxism can be caused by TMJ disorder, and bruxism can also cause or worsen TMJ disorder.
TMJ Disorder:
TMJ disorder is a condition that involves pain and improper functioning of the temporomandibular muscles and joints that attach the lower jaw to the skull. The temporalis muscle elevates the lower jaw in order to bite or close the jaws. It also functions to retract the lower jaw as well as move the lower jaw from side-to-side. Prolonged teeth grinding can wear down your teeth and may cause you to develop an imbalanced jaw. Also, the stress of the pain from TMJ can cause you to grind your teeth more often, to offset the pain.
Muscle Relaxing Injections as a Treatment for Grinding Teeth
Dr. Mark Hamilton is a highly experienced practitioner in the field of Bruxism.
Anti-Wrinkle Treatments are best known for treating wrinkles, it also helps to relax the muscles that cause Teeth Grinding and Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
The Masseter muscle is the main teeth-grinding muscle. Bruxism can be helped by injecting botulinum toxin into this muscle. The injections work by relieving your jaw tension and easing your pain. It also reduces headaches & teeth grinding by relaxing the muscles which create this stress.
An added aesthetic bonus is jaw muscles will look less bulky and your jawline will have a more V-shaped contour.
Teeth grinding Injections Treatment:
The procedure involves injecting botulinum toxin into the Masseter and/or Temporalis muscles. The treatment takes about 20 minutes with injections on either side of your face and directly into your jaw muscles. Tiny injections are placed into the masseter muscle which is located at the angle of the jaw. It does not hurt – just a quick sting and a pinch!.
Dosage for Bruxism vs TMJ Disorder :
Bruxism requires a cosmetic dose of toxin (routinely 25 units each side) to relax the Masseter muscle and for slimming the jawline.
TMJ requires a higher dose of toxin (up to 50 units each side) to debulk the Masseter muscle and relax the Temporalis muscle.
Injecting small doses of Botulinum toxin directly into the masseter muscle weakens the muscle enough to stop habitual grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw.
The dosing for treatment is variable and based on the desired effect and the strength of the muscles being injected. The most suitable dosage for you can only be decided at your consultation.
Teeth grinding Injections Results:
You might not notice any difference at first as results take a week or two to take effect.
When abobotulinumtoxinA injections are used to relieve the pain of TMJ disorder and reduce teeth-grinding, you can expect some pain relief & improvement within 2-3 weeks.
When muscle relaxing injections are used to cosmetically reduce masseter muscle hypertrophy (MMH) the maximum effect is not seen for six weeks.
The treatment effects last on average 12-16 weeks and will slowly wear off.
The injections are generally repeated every 3-4 months. A positive aesthetic side effect is the improvement of the jawline.
Prices of Teeth Grinding Injections:
Bruxism Injections cost £300/ €350 when having the treatment as an add-on with Facial Anti Wrinkle Injections.
TMJ Injections start from £350 / €420 when having Facial Anti Wrinkle Injections with Dr. Hamilton.
