Considering Botox For TMJ? What To Know First.

TMJ means I clench my jaw and grind my teeth. Blame stress; blame genetics; blame the anxiety-inducing dumpster fire that is 2020. All I know for sure is that I wake each morning with a painful, swollen face and spend the next hour ice rolling. It wasn’t, however, until my dentist told me TMJ can make you look older that I began to panic. Everyone’s teeth shorten over time, reducing volume in your lower face, but TMJ accelerates the process. Aging aside, an overactive masseter can also make your face appear wide and square. I needed a solution now.

The first thing any healthcare professional will recommend is a mouth guard, but more and more people are turning to Botox as an alternative treatment for TMJ. Here’s what you need to know before undergoing the needle.

What is TMJ?

Most people think TMJ is the disorder. According to cosmetic dentist Carlos M. Valdes, DMD, however, “TMJ is actually a popular layman’s term for the joint complex in front of our ears that connects the upper jaw to the lower jaw and allows us to chew, grind and clench.” The disorders we often refer to when we say TMJ are Temporomandibular Disorder and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Still, calling it TMJ will almost always get your point across.

What are its symptoms?

“TMJ is a painful condition that can cause everything from swelling, to headaches, to teeth shortening,” says Dr. William Kestin, MD. You may also experience locking, clicking and a limited movement in the jaw area, as well as soreness stretching all the way down to your neck muscles.

How do I know if I have it?

“Most people who experience the hallmark symptoms of TMJ, such as teeth grinding and muscle pain, likely have it. You can also look to see if your masseter muscle bulges when you bite, or even when relaxed. But talk to your healthcare provider before you self-diagnose,” says Chelsi Dayrit, nurse practitioner and cofounder of @Simply.OnCall, an aesthetic concierge service in Los Angeles.

Botox aside, what are the possible treatments?

There’s no question that mouth guards are incredibly effective. I also use ice rollers, facial massage and CBD to set myself up for a relaxed, grind-free sleep. Registered nurse Odessa Andaya suggests everything from “stretching techniques, to chiropractic adjustments, to hot and cold therapy.” Your practioner may also recommend acupuncture, soft foods and, in the most severe cases, oral surgery.

So what about Botox?

Botox puts muscles to sleep, preventing that part of your face from moving and smoothing out a wrinkle here and there. According to board certified nurse practitioner Annette Shon of Skin Specifics Medical Spa in Los Angeles, “Botox injected into the masseter muscle will partially relax and weaken the muscle, which prevents over-contraction and muscle growth… The dosage varies [from patient to patient], ranging from 15 to 30 units per side with an average cost of $400-$600. Results can last three to five months.”

Is there any downside? Other than the hit to my wallet?

“Bruising and swelling may occur, but that’s usually due to the needle punctures and will subside quickly,” explains Dayrit. “Other potential side effects may include facial asymmetry, especially affecting the smile, that lasts for a month or two… That’s why it’s so important to choose a provider who is not only familiar with Botox, but familiar with it as a treatment for TMJ.” Since Botox isn’t yet an approved treatment for TMJ, and since there’s nothing to do other than wait out any averse side effects, it’s imperative that you follow Dayrit’s last piece of advice. It’s also worth pointing out that you may want filler in the cheeks and/or chin to balance out the loss of volume of a relaxed masseter, but most people like the look of a thinner face.

What are the benefits?

Who doesn’t want less pain and decreased damage to your teeth, but there are also aesthetic benefits. “Since a bulging masseter muscle makes the jaw appear larger or more square, injecting Botox can help the face appear slimmer,” says Shon. Not to be confused with a strong jawline, a slim face is considered more aesthetically appealing. Sounds like a win-win to me.

So the question is… would you try Botox for TMJ?