Therapeutic and Cosmetic Botox Injections
The botulinum toxin is proof that good things can come from bad. When used in a medical setting, this toxin can be used to help with medical conditions such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction and bruxism, thanks to its ability to relax muscles. Check with your insurance to see if it will cover these helpful medical procedures, and if not you can still pay for them out of pocket in order to get relief.
Botox As A Bruxism Treatment
Bruxism is a condition in which people grind their teeth, often unconsciously. This grinding of the teeth can happen day or night. Unfortunately, such grinding can cause the teeth to wear down and also lead to TMJ Dysfunction (see below). On top of that, it can cause headaches, earaches, facial pain, and migraines.
Botox is approved as an effective way to reduce bruxism by treating excessive muscle activity, causing the jaw muscle to relax and making it difficult to grind with such extreme force. The good news is, your jaw muscle has more power than it typically needs to chew food, so the reduction won’t affect eating.
While it’s not a cure for bruxism, it addresses the main problems that it causes. This reduces headaches and protects the teeth in most patients.
The procedure is quick and easy. The injection goes directly into the masseter muscle and relaxes it in a short amount of time. It’s no surgical, so you’ll be done in less than half an hour.
Botox As A TMJ Dysfunction Treatment
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) works as a hinge between the jaw and the skull, so it does a lot of work throughout the day as people eat and talk. If this joint become irritated, problems can range from slight discomfort to extreme pain. Besides pain, clicking of the jaw and difficulty chewing are the most common problems that affect the TMJ. There are many causes of TMJ dysfunction, including bruxism. When injected into sore muscles around the jaw, Botox relieves jaw tension and the discomfort associated with TMJ.
This is a non-surgical procedure we handle right here at Austin Renewal Therapy, and it takes less than half an hour. Most patients see considerable improvement with their TMJ in just a couple of days.
Cosmetic Botox Injections
Most people know of Botox because of its cosmetic uses, often via television shows that mock those on the show who got Botox and can no longer show emotions because their face is so numb. We’re happy to report that that’s simply not the case. Botox patients can still emote perfectly well; they just look younger when they do it!
If you’re interested in reducing the wrinkles on your face, Botox can help. Austin Renewal Therapy can make it happen, and in less than a week you’ll see obvious changes to your face.