Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD)/ or Jaw Pain
At Axon Medical & Aesthetics Saskatoon, Sk we offer clinically proven NEUROMODULATOR (BOTOX/DYSPORT) treatment for clients suffering from Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD)/or Jaw Pain. The temporomandibular joint is where the lower jaw connects to your temples, just in front of your ear. Disorders and dysfunction of this joint can result in severe pain, persistent headaches, and disrupted sleep. Disease of the TMJ is very common. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 adults will report one or more symptoms of TMD in their life. If you are greater than 18 years of age and experience the following symptoms, Neuromodulator Injections such as Botox or Dysport may help you. Research has shown that these injections may decrease the intensity, frequency and duration of TMD symptoms by 50-80 %, decreasing the need for surgical intervention.
Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD)/ or Jaw Pain
- This condition is complex resulting from an interplay of causes from multiple genetic and environmental domains. Due to the social, emotional and psychological effects of the disorder, we stress the utmost importance in having a health team leader directing your treatment such as your family doctor or dentist/specialist, and we can be an adjunct for your care in helping to decrease your chronic TMJ pain.
- Common symptoms are tenderness, tightness or pain around the jaw; problems with chewing and opening the mouth wide; headaches and earaches. TMD can make ordinary activities such as yawning, eating, speaking and kissing difficult and uncomfortable. For some, the pain becomes chronic and debilitating.
- Frequently co-occurring conditions: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, lower back pain, sleep disorders, depression and more.
- Before being treated for TMD, your family doctor should first rule out any other disease that may be causing your symptoms. If you are otherwise healthy, your doctor may refer you to a dentist. In which you may try eating soft foods, avoiding hard chewing or extreme jaw movements or apply ice packs and moist heat, or practice stress-reduction techniques.
- Botox is not currently FDA approved for TMD pain due to a lack of large, rigorous or placebo-controlled trials, however, is acceptable as an alternative treatment.
- There are numerous small research papers, reviews and articles most recently published stating that Botox should be considered as an alternative treatment when other conservative methods have failed. The research has found Botox to decrease the intensity, frequency and duration of TMD pain by 50-80%, self- reported by patients.
- The neuromodulator injections of the masseter and temporalis muscles are completed with about 10-12 injections total. Ice is used for topical numbing and procedure is comfortable.
- Side effects are; bruising, bleeding, infection, mild weakening of the chewing/teeth grinding muscles.
- Patients find 3-4 months of relief from symptoms after treatment.
Clients must be at least 18 years of age.