BOTOX® in New Jersey
At Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey (SDNJ), we strive to offer the latest, most effective treatments and prevention strategies for dental health concerns. One of the more recent procedures we use to help our patients is BOTOX® treatment, which can act as an effective dental pain reliever. The application of BOTOX® in the dentist's office can help protect smiles by improving quality of life for patients suffering from conditions like bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Request a dental appointment with SDNJ to find out if dental BOTOX® can help you!
How Is BOTOX® Utilized in Dentistry?
BOTOX®, otherwise known as botulinum toxin, is a drug that is known for its uses in improving facial esthetics. While BOTOX® is most commonly administered for procedures such as reducing facial wrinkles, Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey's clinicians are also trained and certified to use it to help alleviate certain types of dental and jaw pain as well as to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile.
This is a growing and very effective form of treatment with many therapeutic uses in the dental industry and can work well alongside other procedures or treatment plans.
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How Does BOTOX® Treat Jaw Tension and TMJ Disorder?
Located on both sides of the head at the point where the jawbone meets the skull, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) is used during talking, eating, swallowing, and other everyday activities. If this joint becomes displaced or is overworked through excessive teeth grinding, a person may suffer severe tension headaches, as well as sharp pain in the jaw. BOTOX® relieves jaw tension by making muscles unable to engage in the powerful, often unconscious movement of the jaw that produces headaches and pain.
The BOTOX® alternative treatment for TMJ disorders and jaw tension is usually quick, straightforward, and effective. A non-surgical procedure, BOTOX® injections are administered in a doctor's office and treatment requires no hospital stay. Most patients experience noticeable improvement within one or two days of their first treatment, although relief can take up to a week.
When injected into facial muscles afflicted with soreness and discomfort, BOTOX® relieves TMJ and jaw tension for many patients. The injections often eliminate headaches resulting from teeth grinding, and, in cases of severe stress, BOTOX® can even minimize lock jaw.
How Does BOTOX® Treat Gummy Smiles?
BOTOX® effectively treats "gummy smiles" by reducing excessive lip elevation. BOTOX® is injected directly into the "elevator" muscle of the upper lip, which weakens the muscle's ability to contract, or raise up too high, when smiling, thus preventing the over exposure of gum line.
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Common Procedures Performed at SDNJ
At SDNJ, we understand the therapeutic uses of BOTOX® and administer it to help manage pain caused by multiple conditions, including:
- TMD: TMD is a disorder involving improper contact between the sets of lower and upper teeth, which causes a variety of symptoms, including jaw clicking and pain. To lower the intensity of these symptoms, we administer BOTOX® injections into the patient's facial muscles. BOTOX injections act as a more effective reliever for TMD pain than many other treatment options in the industry.
- Bruxism: Dental professionals identify this condition as teeth grinding, which can cause extreme headaches and jaw pain. We use BOTOX® to lower the frequency of teeth grinding by injecting the treatment into three places: the frontalis muscle, the temporalis muscle and the masseter muscle. These muscles move the jaw and share responsibility for clenching issues. With reduced functionality in these muscles, you can keep teeth grinding to a minimum and relieve the pain that gets in the way of your daily activities.
- Gummy Smile: Dental professionals at SDNJ are very familiar with the function of each facial muscle and can identify those that activate the upper lip (hyper-mobile upper lip). BOTOX® is injected directly into those isolated muscles to conservatively treat the appearance of a gummy smile.
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What is Recovery from Botulinum Toxin Therapy for TMJ Treatment Like?
Because the Botulinum Toxin Treatment procedure is non-surgical and non-invasive, it is highly likely that the patient can return to normal activities immediately. However, to avoid spreading the toxin to other muscles, patients should not rub or massage the area injected with Botulinum Toxin and remain upright for many hours. Physical activity should also be limited for a time.
How Long Will the Effects of BOTOX® Last?
The effects of BOTOX® usually last up to about three months, after which the muscles will start to function normally again. If your pain comes back after this point, you can return to us and we will discuss administering a new dose of the drug for another three pain-free months.
Call SDNJ Today
We want to keep your jaw and teeth functioning in top form so you can chew, smile and laugh more each day. Want to reduce the look of a gummy smile? Make an appointment with us now to find out if dental BOTOX® treatment is right for you or contact us for more information about our procedures.
Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey (SDNJ) provides dental BOTOX® to the Manalapan, NJ area. Located in Manalapan, Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey serves the areas
of Freehold, Old Bridge, Morganville, Marlboro, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey.
